Full text of "Old Settler Report (1924)"

See other formats

lake county

PUBLIC LIBRARY

For Reference

Not to be taken from tn.s room

Historical Records

OF THE

Lake County
Old Settler and Historical
Association

Lake County, Indiana

10 2 4

Compiled by the Historical Secretary

OFFICERS

(Elected August IS, 1923)

President_August W. Stommel, Dyer .

Vice-President_A. J. Smith, Hobart .

Secretary-Treasurer-Emma H. Leary, Hammond .

Historical Secretary_James W. Lester, Gary.

Mitui luiui iMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiinimiiiiiiiw—»iniMiMii»«wwnMmnitiinmiiwnuimiiiiniiiiwinwnf wiWMMiwniiiieiiwiiiiimiiiiiB>mMimiiiinnni

LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 3113 03175 8529

To the intrepid men and women who
were enabled, through faith, courage, and
industry, to conquer a wilderness and clear
a way that we might enjoy health, peace,
and prosperity: to those pioneers of Lake
County, this volume is respectfully dedi¬
cated.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

jfarrmari)

Our aim in getting out this volume is to preserve
material of general interest to residents of this county.
Much information that is available in city and county*
records and in newspaper files, has been excluded; while
many excellent contributions have of necessity been
omitted.

That more space has been devoted to the living than
to the dead, is justified by the constant thinning of the
ranks of our older members.

LAKE COUNTY

"Lake County Historical Records

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE

III

IV
V

VII

VIII

XII

XIII

xrv

XVI

XVII

XVIII

Pioneering in Ross Township, Samuel B. Woods.

Early History of Lowell, Mrs. John M. Dwyer.

Cedar Lake, Colonel LeGrand T. Meyer.

A Daughter of Deep River.

Historical Notes from Eagle Creek Township, Oscar Dinwiddie.
In Memoriam.

Deer Hunting in the Indiana Dunes.

The Potawatomi Indians, Joseph Nocktonick.

Lake Indians Visit the Camp Sites of Their Ancestors.

Joseph Nocktonick.

Early Schools and Teachers of Lake County, W. C. Belman.

How We Incorporated the Town, C. O. Holmes.

Report of the Meeting at the Woods' Farm, Emma Huehn

Leary.

Pioneers and Early Settlers.

The Meeting at the Lake of the Red Cedars.

Report of the Meeting at Deep River.

An Archaeological and Historical Survey of Lake County.
Miscellaneous Notes.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Pioneering in Ross Toumship

Samuel B. Woods

My father, Bartlett Woods, left England in 1836, and after a very’ long
and rough voyage lasting fifty-two days, arrived at New York. From there
he came west on the old Erie Canal, and landed at Michigan City. He came
to Lake County in 1837, made a claim for the land on which I am now living,
and for it paid the government $1.25 an acre.

He soon became acquainted with the Siglers; a family living west of
Hobart. One bright morning he hitched his yoke of oxeg to the great lumber
wagon, journeyed to the Sigler home, and brought the blushing Ann Eliza
back to the log house at Hickory Ridge.

Their two-story cabin was twenty feet wide by thirty feet long. The
logs were laid one on the other, between which were clinkers of clay. All of
this made a very comfortable house downstairs, but upstairs the sides were
low. The roof was made of poles as rafters; and shingles, which w~ere about
three inches w'ide and six to eight long, split from logs. These shingles,
called “shakes'’, made a good roof, w~hich iasted for a long time. The door
was a wonder; wooden hinges extended across the entire wndth, with not a
nail in it. The boards w*ere fastened to the hinges by wooden pegs, because
they had no money w'ith which to buy nails.

At that early date they had no stoves. The fireplace wras made of brick ;
the chimney was of small w'ooden sticks plastered together with clay. If some
of the clay happened to get out, the chimney w r ould catch fire; then they would
get a long pole and shove the chimney aw-ay from the house.

They cooked, and baked bread in the fireplace; but the fireplace w^as a
very poor medium for heating, because most of the heat went up the chimney.
In later years I often met a man who worked for my father at the time I was
born. He used to tell me that it kept him on the jump to cut wood fast
enough for the old fireplace to keep me from freezing. They got their first
cooking stove in 1854. It would be a sight nowadays. The back was sup¬
ported by long legs; the oven was on the top of the stove.

They plowed the land w T ith a w r ooden mouldboard plow, having a steel
point. The harrows were w r ooden frames with wooden teeth. After the
settlers had raised their crops, it was a fight to a finish, to save the grain. The
Calumet and the Kankakee Rivers were great breeding places for many
varieies of birds, especially blackbirds; and these would swoop down in great
flocks and harvest the crops on their own account.

When the pioneers did get a crop, they disposed of it at Chicago—their
nearest market. Usually a number of neighbors would get out their ox teams
and heavy wagons and make the trip together, for the roads were little better
than trails, and one often needed help to get out of the sand or mire. Fre¬
quently they had to unload and carry their packs to higher ground, pull the
wagons out, and then reload them. At some points there were ferries which
transported the oxen and wagons across the river. On one occasion, when
the oxen were hot and thirsty, they did not wait for the ferry, but plunged into
the river, load and all, to get a drink and to cool off. The round trip to market
required from four to five days' time, and the expenses would often equal the
value of the load.

LAKE COUNTY

The wants of the pioneer were limited. He bought only the necessities,
such as shovels and axes, and perhaps cloth for garments. But he raised sheep,
and took the wool to a carding mill. The women would put in a great deal
of time spinning yarn, and knitting socks and mittens, not only for the men and
children, but for themselves as well.

The women of those days were not, it seems, as sturdy as the women of
today. They did not wear thin, scant clothing in winter, and furs in summer.
It did not take from five to fifty dollars for a woman’s hat. If she wanted
something different, she would buy a yard of calico, and make a sunbonnet, or
knit a hood. When their hats turned yellow they would gather a quantity of
straw and make a new one; the fine straw for Sunday, the coarse for week
days. They would braid it in about three-quarter-inch widths and sew it
together. At that, she was just as happy as the w^oman of today.

Neighbors in those days were real neighbors. When the early settlers
were sick, they did not send for a trained nurse, for they never lacked good
help; the neighbors would come and w r ork, both indoors and out.

Then too, they had their social gatherings. Hardly an evening but they
would get together at one home or another; and on Sundays they would have
a regular “blow-out.” Neither did the maid prepare the dinner, as the com¬
pany whiled away the time in the parlor; but the woman of the house, with
the help of all the women guests, would attend to that. And what a jolly
time they would have, while the men were out looking over the stock and
crops, or talking politics.

We did not have chairs enough in our home to seat all at the table; part
sat on benches. Beds and room were scarce, and so they used a trundle bed,
which during the day, they kept under an ordinary bed. It was what one
might term a “Grandfather’s Murphy bed.”

From the standpoint of intelligence, the early settlers in my opinion,
would stand higher than the people of today. They had the capacity to judge,
the ability to express themselves, and the strength of character to stand by
their principles.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

INTRODUCTION

Concerning Historical Papers

The Lake County Old Settler and Historical Association has been in
existence for many years and has performed a most valuable service for our
county and state. During its early history the association had for its historical
secretary Mr. Timothy H. Ball, a scholar and historian, whose activity in
research and writing made efforts on the part of the other members almost
useless, and resulted in a most valuable collection of books and pamphlets
published by Mr. Ball and the association.

After the death of Mr. Ball, the association began to realize that al¬
though it could fill the office made vacant by the death of its historian, it was
impossible to fill his place. At one of the annual meetings of the association,
the writer of this introduction was elected to fill the office of historical sec¬
retary. While he duly appreciated the compliment, he keenly felt his inability
to fill the place of the departed secretary. He, therefore, asked the association
to appoint a committee to select subjects for investigation and to appoint
persons to make such investigations and prepare papers thereon for the asso¬
ciation.

Judge Kopelke, L. J. Bailey, and the writer were appointed as the com¬
mittee. The committee selected more than fifty subjects and then designated
the persons asked, to investigate them and report. The Bench and Bar of
Lake County was one of the subjects selected, and by a two-thirds’ vote Judge
Kopelke was appointed to prepare the paper; which he did with credit to his
known ability and favor to our association. At the earnest solicitation of the
writer and many others, the paper was published in pamphlet form by the
author, and will remain a valuable contribution to our history. Early Lowell
wras assigned to Mrs. Dwyer, and that aged and much beloved member of our
association performed her duty* in an admirable w r ay. The paper has not as
yet been published, but we hope and expect it will be soon. Lake County
Bibliography w T as assigned to Miss Mable Tinkham of the Gary Library. It
w*as published in the special historical editon of The Gary Post for our annual
meeting, August 27, 1918. It was a laborious task well done. Claude Allman
was assigned the subject of Platted Cities and Towms, and he performed his
work in his usual painstaking and authoritative way. His article also appeared
in the special edition of The Post. Another subject selected by the committee
was Cedar Lake, and on account of his known ability and the fact that he and
his ancestors have lived at the lake for almost a century , LeGrapd T. Meyer of
Hammond, w r as selected to write its history. The paper was read at the an¬
nual meeting of the association in 1920. It was interesting and instructive
and was most enthusiastically received; so much so that Mr. Meyers was
unanimously elected president of the association for the ensuing year.

A. F. Kntotts.

LAKE COUNTY

Early History of Lowell and Dicinity

Mrs. John M. Dwyer, (nee Cornelia A.Clark)
a continuous resident of that place for eighty-one years .

Probably long before the time Horace Greeley published his well re¬
membered advice as to immigration in these words: “Go West, young man!”
and at the very beginning of the Easterners’ realization of the fact that
“Westward the course of empire was taking its way,” a certain western New
York young man, with his family consisting of his wife and two children: a
boy aged two and a girl seven months, migrated from their native home in
“York State” to found a new home in the then new and almost wild northwest
section of Indiana.

Arriving at the present site of Lowell, then a wild landscape with all that
term applies, in the summer of 1837, this family found an abandoned log cabin
of one room, on the present site of the Presbyterian church. Here they spent
their first winter. Their nearest neighbors were: Abram and Horatio R.
Nichols and Wm. Purdy (all long since deceased) ; then these three young
bachelors w T ere keeping “Bachelors’ hall” in another cabin at what is now
known as the late H. R. Nichols’ home, in West Lowell. John Driscoll, an¬
other bachelor was living in a small cabin of peeled hickories on the present
site of the Driscoll place just east and south of the Low r ell cemetery. In the
course of a short time the last named settler took unto himself a bride, and
one of her pride-worthy remarks about their early housekeeping was that,
“All that John had in the w r ay of dishes when I came to him was a frying pan
and a tin cup.” Nevertheless they happily prospered, acquired a goodly share
of this productive land and raised a fine family, among them a son, namely,
Martin, and a daughter, Mrs. John Hack, still living in Lowell, and w T ell
known by members of this society.

Some of you will remember Lawyer McDonald of Crown Point, recog¬
nized as one of the foremost attorneys. In 1840 he first settled with his family
just south of the Driscoll farm in the edge of the woods. A sad incident is
here recalled of the death of his young wife that year. She left her much
bereft young husband and two little girls; viz., Gertrude, aged about four,
and Flora, aged two. Your relator attended the funeral with her folks. After
the ceremony we three little tots strolled through the grove and field nearby
to revive ourselves from the attendant sadness. In the early 70’s I called upon
Aunt Calista Young in Crow r n Point, who informed me that Gertrude
was the wife of Hiram Holton and that Flora w^as teaching school there. Aunt
Calista had us take tea with her in her home in the old Solon Robinson house.
This was our first meeting after the funeral of their mother over thirty years
previous, which incident had drawn us tenderly together, and you may be
assured this little re-meeting is a treasured remembrance in our lives. Flora
afterward married Doctor Poppe and became our next door neighbor during
the time Mr. Dwyer was County Recorder.

Returning to other early settlers in the immediate vicinity of Lowell:

There was another cabin there on the county road about thirty rods
north of the Driscoll place, occupied by one John Smith, who reared a large
family, among them a son, John; and both father and this son went to the
Mexican w r ar and did not come back alive.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Uncle Peter Surprise was also one of the very few early settlers in the
vicinity of Pleasant Grove northeast of there, but still considered one of the
nearest neighbors to the family of the relator of this sketch.

A family by the name of Mendinghall, a little later, erected a cabin on
what is now known as Tuthill Hill in East Lowell.

In the course of a few years the Cross family settled south of the Dris¬
coll place on the state road, and one of the earliest remembrances of your
narrator is her first sleigh ride with her folks to visit the Cross family in the
early “forties”. The trip was made on a pair of rude bob-sleds, without a
wagon box, drawn by oxen, and with only an arm full of straw to sit upon; a
wagon box was an almost unknown convenience. These oxen were so well
trained that they would willingly go on a trot like a pair of horses, following
the wood-land trail with only the “Ged-ap, Gee, Haw and Whoa” of the
master to control them. Arriving at the house of the Crosses, I remember
of the children having to sit upon the pile of wood which had been brought
in upon the floor to feed the fire-place. This was owing to the scarcity of
chairs, which was not uncommon in all the homes at that time.

About the same time Wm. Purdy—before alluded to as one of the trio
of bachelors, who were our nearest neighbors—married and settled on the
north side of the state road, just west of Cedar Creek.

The McCartys were also fairly early settlers north of Lowell, and op¬
erated the first grist mill in the vicinity.

Thus has been indicated all the white inhabitants in and close around
Lowell remembered up to the time of the outbreak of the Mexican war in

1845.

The Indians, up to about that time, were camped on the present site of
the Wilbur Lumber Co.’s plant and the P. M. McNay Coal yards. They
were, of course, rough and disheveled in appearance, but not hostile, and had
entirely disappeared prior to the Mexican war Two or three incidents of
their visits are still fresh in mind: The first instance when they came to the
home when only women folk and children were present, and the little house¬
hold was naturally terrified at the prospect of harm which might befall them;
and the children ran and hid themselves as best they could. By signs and
mumbling, the natives made themselves understood that all they wanted was
some of the pumpkins lying in the yard, and they soon were given to understand
that they should help themselves, which they did and contentedly went on their
way. Another incident was the visit of two husky braves to watch father, as
he was sitting on a wooden horse trimming out ax handles with a drawing
knife. On another occasion they came leisurely right into the house unin¬
vited and one of them fondly took my older brother on his lap; but “little
sister” was too shy to get scarcely near enough to see them. On that occasion
mother gave them a lunch, for which they seemed grateful, and in due time
peacefully departed.

In those first years of pioneering the cooking was done at the fire-place,
even bread was baked in a kettle set on live coals raked out upon the hearth,
with live coals laid on the kettle cover.

Clothing and cloth of every description were home-made. Spinning
wheels and looms in every home were the rule, rather than the exception.

In the summer of 1838—one year after our arrival, we moved into an¬
other deserted one-room cabin on the east bank of Cedar Creek, at the extreme

LAKE COUNTY

northeast corner of-the present site of the drained mill pond bottom. These
abandoned cabins had been vacated by homesick or discontented earlier set¬
tlers. Here father had found a broken-up patch of ground, and here he raised
vegetables and sowed wheat, and continued to live for seven years; pre-empting
the land which lay to the s«uth and east of what is now known and named
after him as Clark street, some of which extended to the east and south present
corporation limits of the town of Lowell. He then built, about 1845, the first
frame house in this vicinity, locating it on the south side of the road in the
easternmost square of the town, commonly called the ‘Bill Hill place.” This
house consisted of four rooms; two below and two above and over a basement,
in the side of the hill sloping to the south. It was built of oak-hewn timbers,
oak siding and home made shingles. Here “Uncle Jabe” as he came to be
familiarly called had Lowell’s first hotel, for it was the only house large
enough to accommodate the occasional traveler. Here he had his physician’s
supplies, for be it known he had obtained a medical education in the East
prior to his pioneering, and w r as the only physician in this vicinity for fifteen
years. When the younger doctors arrived, among them: Wood, Yeoman,
Gerrish, Bacon and Davis, he retired from the practice and devoted his at¬
tention almost exclusively to his agricultural pursuits. In this first frame
house he conducted the first general store, carrying in stock only absolute
necessities. He w*as also Justice of the Peace, and by virtue of that office
was not only the only “Marryin’ Squire” but the only marrying magistrate,
for there were no resident preachers. Early law suits were held in the base¬
ment, much to the disgust of Mother Clark, who expostulated roundly about
the curious hangers-on mudding up her floors and not infrequently leaving
tobacco stains thereupon. John Sanger was the only “Pettifogger” of that
time, and when John wasn’t on the right side, the Justice took a hand on the
other side, and with a determined will took the part of opposing lawyer and
also Judge in the case.

The first log school house was erected on the ridge south of “Tuthill
Hill.” Some of the early teachers w’ere: Abram Nichols, Sr., Calista Cross,
Subrina Flint, Cynthia Hogan and others. Speaking of Calista Cross; she
and her husband, Richard Cross were the parents of six children, five of
w'hom unfortunately w T ere deaf and dumb, and the other a son—was killed by
lightning in early manhood.

The market products of the farms had to be hauled to Chicago or Mich¬
igan City, and groceries and other provisions obtained there. An incident
occurred of an ox team miring in front of what is now the Palmer house on
State street. It was a four day trip going and coming even writh the best of
roads and weather, and several wagoners usually made the trip together. An
incident that was somewhat amusing occurred on one of these trips one night
in the vicinity of what is now Dyer: A sleepy Irish hired hand following in the
awful darkness of the night, hollowed out: “Uncle Jabe, be jabbers I have lost
off an ox.” Sure enough one of them had become unyoked and dropped out
by the wayside, leaving his mate to haul the load. Thus teaming furnished
some employment until the L. N. A. and C. railroad was constructed in 1880,
through Lowell. John Wilkinson, a Lowellite, ran a stage coach, carrying mail
express and passengers, to and from Crown Point, for a decade or more prior
to the completion of the so-called “Air line” from Monon to Chicago.

Returning to Uncle Jabe’s first frame house: The house-warming

HISTORICAL RECORDS

party is clearly remembered, and it was also the first dancing party. Uncle
Warren Russell was the only fiddler, and the crier of the “figgers” and the
only one needed, for what he lacked in other musical instruments to assist
him, he made up with his head a bobbin’ and his foot a pattin’ to the time, as
he entered into the spirit of the frolic. The supper which followed even sur¬
passed the supper described by Washington Irving in his legend of Sleepy Hol¬
low ; and while the hostess was entitled to a proper degree of credit for putting
on this party, all the girls and women of the country-side “came right over,
put on aprons and turned right in to help” (in the parlance of the time.)

Another early bob-sled ride visit to the home of the Lynch’s is recalled
w’hen John and Dan (whom most of you know) were little fellows. Their
parents had settled on the east bluff above Cedar Creek, south of the present
John Lynch place. Mrs. Lynch w'as a refined Irish peeress, a very much ad¬
mired and respected lady. Mr. Lynch died soon after they settled here, and
in the course of time this young widow' who had the tw'o or more small chil¬
dren, was united in marriage to John B. Peterson, Sr., of Lowell. From this
parentage was born the Hon. John B. Peterson of Crown Point, and while
the latter place has had the honor of his residence since he came to manhood
and embarked in his profession, Lowell claims the credit of being w'here he
was born and w'here he received his early education.

Melvin A. Halstead came to this vicinity from West Creek township
about 1846 and lived in a cabin at about the present site of the grain elevator
near the depot. He erected a saw-mill just west of the present ruins of the
old brick-mill and a brickyard just w’est of w'here the Halstead old brick
house still stands, which house was a mansion in its day, and built with brick
from that first brick yard. He also built a frame grist mill in the same locality.
The saw r mill w'as the busiest industry, however, for settlers now began arriv¬
ing more frequently, and houses had to be built for them, from the timber
here.

The village came to be named Lowell, presumably on account of its mill¬
ing industries, resembling at that time in a small way the New' England tow T n
of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Mr. Halstead w T as a “forty-niner” to the California gold fields and made
the entire trip upon at least one occasion, on horseback. He returned in the
early fifties and erected the first little brick Baptist church, of which he w r as
one of the main pillars.

About this time w'as built the first brick school-house on the south side
of the county road on the present site of about mid-way between Clark street
and Public Square. Among the early teachers of that school were Harvey
Austin, Myron Thomas, Wm. Williams, w*ho was an uncle of the Stowell
family, John M. Dwyer and others. The second and succeeding brick school
not being erected until 1869 or 1870; the school grounds and the public
square being donated by the preemptor of this land.

The first church service remembered was held in our cabin home, and
the circuit-rider preacher’s name was Talcott. The Christian (respectfully
termed Campbellite) congregation held their first meetings over Sigler’s frame
store, and one of the first preachers was John L. Worley, who lived to be an
old resident of this vicinity, and raised a large family, most of w'hom are still
living here. The Methodists had a cabin church on the James H. Sanger
land near Sanger’s corners, and the Sanger homestead just w f est thereof was

LAKE COUNTY

the Mecca for all the early circuit riders as well as one of the prominent and
hospitable homes in the county. The first Baptist church service was held in
the Halstead brick house and the Rev. Whitehead was the preacher.

About 1856 the original brick Christian church and Methodist church
buildings were erected on their present sites, and the Catholic church was es¬
tablished here in the late 6o’s.

A small frame boarding house, with an annex for a general store was
erected by Jonah Thorn, near the present site of the Presbyterian
church, in what was then the mill district. At this store your narrator, at
the age of fifteen years purchased a little candy—the first she had ever seen,
not having been away from her home settlement prior to that time.

About the same time William Sigler came from Hebron and opened a
store about twenty rods east of the present site of the cemetery. The first
post office was named the “Outlet post office” and was in a small dwelling
house which is still standing on the south side of the county road, first house
on the south side of the road east of the cemetery. The first postmaster was
a cabinet maker named Stringham. Previous to the establishment of the
post office, the mail was delivered infrequently to the settlers, by horse-back
carrier. The early letters were not enveloped, simply folded and sealed. In
the early 50’s Sigler moved his store to the Mill district in the village, and the
post office was moved into his store.

About 1855 Merton, of Crown Point, and John Viant, of Lowell, opened
a general store on the present site of the Castle and K. P. brick block. Thorne
closed his mill district store and opened a hardware store down on the county
road in the present business district. Sigler soon followed to the new business
location.

There is nothing remembered of any calamity befalling the vicinity in its
early history. Its early settlers were bound together not only from necessity,
but because they realized that from such a communion they derived the
greatest comforts and helpfulness. Here was founded a true democracy in
all its simplicity. Here every man, woman, boy and girl was the peer of
every other, with no early Continental Europeans to disturb the “Yankee”
settlement. No one w r as above speaking and “rubbing elbows” with every other
person; crime had been practically unknown and the people basked in the
blessings of God. May it ever continue so to be is the wash of one of the old
settlers, probably the oldest living first settler in the limits of w T hat is now the
town of Lowell.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

The History of Cedar Lake

LeGrand T. Meyer
FOREWORD

There are no particular events requiring that the history of Cedar Lake
be written unless it be considered as a part of some political subdivision. The
fact that it is a popular pleasure resort with many of our residents as well
as that of our immediate neighbors, in my judgment, does not change the rule,
for if you would attempt to chronicle the events of the numerous pleasure
seekers there would be little to narrate, likewise, if I were able to consolidate
the unwritten diaries and biographies of the many families in the neighboring
townships which touch its banks, the few moments allotted me would drive you
to slumberland. So nothing of that kind or character is to be attempted, and
I will devote my brief time upon the following chapters into which I believe
the subject ought to be divided:

Chapter One—Geological and Natural History of the Lake.

Chapter Two—Its Indian history concluding w’ith the United States
Potawatomi Treaty, ending in 1832.

Chapter Three—The period of the settlement from 1832 until the
advent of a railroad in 1880.

Chapter Four—Its history as a pleasure resort.

CEDAR LAKE

CHAPTER ONE

Cedar Lake is a kidney shaped, shallow body of water, whose greatest
approximate length is two and one-fourth miles and whose greatest width is
three-fourths of a mile. Its location is the result of glacial action. It
would appear w r hen the great ice drift slowly pushed southw ard centuries ago,
the drift started to excavate at the northeast corner and drifted and pushed
southward, throwing banks on each thereof, working its resistless w*ay to¬
wards the sun. The lake has no inlet, but there is an outlet, Cedar Creek, on
the southeast corner thereof, meandering southerly through Lowell and
eventually into the Kankakee River. For many years this stream furnished the
motive powder for the operation of grist mills in Lowell. On the south side
of the lake and extending southward to the village of Tinkervillc, now’ called
Creston, since the advent of the railroad, is a large flat comprising at least one
square mile, superficially covered with a heavy thick bed of peat and
grasses. Undoubtedly not so many hundred years ago the lake extended at
least two miles further south than its present meander lines. In the con¬
struction of the railway it was necessary to cross this marsh and the first at¬
tempts were made by filling, which lasted a time, but one morning the track
men were surprised to find that the rails and road bed had disappeared. A new
track was laid completely detouring the marsh, subsequently it was spilled and
carload after carload of filling was dumped into the breach; new spills were
laid and again the work disappeared, however the same was rebuilt at heavy
expense, and whether or not the work is permanent, remains to be seen.

Engineers do not care to take a chance, and always slow up in crossing

LAKE COUNTY

this place. At the northwest corner of the lake, about a half mile beyond
the present shore on the Von Hollan farm, the former site of the cranberry
patch, there is another one of these subterranean connections with the lake
that likewise swallowed up the railroad embankment over night and had to
be re-filled. The northeast sides of the lake were densely timbered with oak
and hickory trees while along the west side, the western prairies closely ap¬
proach the banks. It is said that the lake was so named on account of red
cedar trees. The red cedar was and is very scarce and it possibly was on ac¬
count of the fact that there were a few red cedar trees on the eastern bluffs
that causd the selection of its name, and not an abundance of the same. Near
such a combination of prairies, forests and water, you are not surprised to
learn that the place was a natural paradise for birds and animals of every species
indigenous to the locality. Years ago, buffalo wallows could be identified, the
stately elk bugled his challenge across the waters and was startled by its echo,
deer were numerous; rabbits, squirrels, racoons and muskrats were plentiful,
fish were abundant; and during the migrations, the lake would be black with
all species of ducks, large droves of geese, swans and many others. Many
species of the heron, even the great white heron now extinct, were taken on its
borders, in fact, many of these now rare species bred on its borders at the south
end of the lake. Annually great droves of the now extinct passenger pigeons
passed over its banks and fed in the groves of white acorn trees, pinnated
grouse, or prairie chickens, were numerous; and likewise the dense thickets
were the homes of numerous families of ruffed grouse or partridge. Need¬
less it is to say that all of the birds, from lordly golden eagles down to the
lively humming bird, were numerous.

Now look upon the scene a century later. The ponds have been drained,
the forests cleared, the fields cultivated, man arrived with the rapid fire arms
whose only purpose is to see the object of his aim fall dead; all gone are the
fish, birds and animals. Witness what the progress of civilization has cost
this paradise occupied by wild animal life. It may be that progress and ad¬
vancement is worth more than was paid for it, and that material life has a
right to demand the destruction of everything that interferes with the almighty
dollar, but, there are hopes that some day another generation will be more
moved by things beautiful than things material. The nature lovers and out
door men note the transformation with heavy heart and paraphrase the word
by saying, “What hath man wrought ?”

CHAPTER TWO

There seems to be a wide diversion of opinion as to the number of
Indians that formerly inhabited the neighborhood, or in fact the continent, at
the time of the landing of Columbus and that since the said time, that, they
have greatly decreased in numbers, until at the present time merely remnants
of powerful tribes remain. Such is not the fact, however, the best opinion from
all sources estimates the number of Indians in this country, north of Mexico
as having never exceeded one million, w T ith few if any permanent villages or
settlements. It is not Indian nature to reside in groups, especially the primi¬
tive Indian w’ho was obliged, single handed to go out into the wilderness and
secure from it, sustenance, clothing, and protection, against the elements, with
only the crudest instruments to outwit, capture and destroy all animals and
obtain the necessary means of support. High infant mortality, constant tribal

HISTORICAL RECORDS

warfare, epidemics against which the medicine man was helpless, kept the
numbers down. It is true he was not civilized according to the standard of
modern civilization but judging from his physical development, every Indian
that reached maturity' was a god in physical excellence. Of the many tribes
that roamed at will, a branch of the Chippeway, the Potawatomi, occupied the
territory bordering upon Cedar Lake. The term Potawatomi signifies “Peo¬
ple of the place of Fire/’ or M The people of Fire.” They probably numbered
eighteen hundred to two thousand in 1832, at the time when the final treaty
was made with them requiring their removal from this territory. The total
tribe never exceeded three thousand, according to the best estimates, and took
in the territory from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Calhoun County Michigan,
also around the shores of Lake Michigan, the tribe numbered approximately
in 1908, two thousand five hundred twenty-two, all of which, except the small
band in Custer County, Michigan, approximately eighty, live in Oklahoma
and Kansas. The Potawatomi and the French explorers soon became firm
and fast friends and they were their active allies until the Treaty of Peace
ending the French and Indian War of 1763. Again we find that they took
sides with the English in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

The discoverers and explorers describe these Indians as being kindly
disposed towards Christianity and more humane and civilized than most
tribes.

Our Potawatomi were not essentially different from most Indians. They
preferred to hunt, trap and fish than to cultivate corn and tobacco. Prior
to their conversion to the Catholic religion, they were polygamists, which, of
course, meant that many a buck had to be without a squaw. They believed in
two great spirits, the great good spirit, Kitchemonedo, and Matchemonedo, the
evil spirit. Before that to some extent they were sun worshipers, and they
held feasts and offered sacrifices; dog meat being the principal flesh used.
They believed in inhumation. Cedar Lake never was a great place for the
trapper, the great marshes of the Kankakee to the south and the Calumet
River north, always afforded a more profitable field. Muskrats had prac¬
tically no commercial value whatever for their skins; it was the fox, beaver,
otter and mink that these red men were able to trade at the posts for the
luxuries they desired. Deer and fish were always plentiful around the lake,
together with the many smaller furred and feathered animals. Life was easy
and it is no wonder that they journeyed back and forth to where they had
many semi-permanent homes upon the high banks of the lake. So far as can
be learned there never was a common burial ground, nor a village. Most
families buried their dead near the semi-permanent homes, at least three
burial places have been located on the shores of the lake.

In October, 1880, two young men whose father lived near Lowell and
had purchased a mill site at the head of the lake commenced to make excava¬
tions for the foundation. The spot selected was a little mound on the lake
shore, sloping eastward and westward and southward, with a gentle declination
northward. At that time a railroad was being built along the westward shore
of the lake; the beautiful and sunny knoll had been the camp of a gay party of
tourists summers before, and everything seemed to breathe of today. On the
edge of the southern slope, a few feet from the water line, there was a
winding line of bur-oaks. The old Indian cemetery was ninety rods east
of the mound.

LAKE COUNTY

The young men had not plowed two feet under before they struck a mass
of human remains and soon turned up about a dozen skeletons, a few rodent
bones and some large shells. A few days afterwards T. H. Ball, whose youth
had been spent here, accompanied by his son, who had made various archae¬
ological explorations and studies in the far West, visited the locality and made
further search under the first of the bur-oaks. Let him tell what he found
then, as well as thirty years before: “Soon he found a piece of lead ore, bearing
the marks of having been cut by some instrument, then a single arrow-head
and next an entire skeleton. One large root of the oak passed over and seemed
to press hard upon the skull, and another large root passed between the lower
limbs.

“The waters of the lake were flashing in the bright beams of the warm
October sun, the leaves of the oaks and hickory trees were just beginning to
assume their gorgeous autumn hues when the bones, the frame work of this
human form, were unearthed. When and amid what circumstances had that
form been there laid in earth ?

“From three counts of the rings of annual growth, that scrubby
tree was found to be about tw'o hundred years old. The circumstances in¬
dicated that the burial took place before the tree began to grow. The size of
the bones, the jaws well filled with teeth, indicate that these remains were all
of men between twenty-five and forty-five years of age, not quite six feet in
height; and from the want of order in the burial, the promiscuous heaping to¬
gether of bodies and the absence of tomahawks, arrowheads and other weapons,
it is inferred that these were vanquished warriors, members of a tribe where
lead ore existed and who in the stem conflict fell before the valor of the
dwellers by the lake. No drier soil, no more sunny spot could have been
found for burial; and so the bones remained undecomposed.” Again on the
east side there are a few scattered graves and on the extreme south end on
what is the last high land at the southeast corner there are now several mounds
which have never been disturbed and which are in good preservation. Fre¬
quently, flint arrowheads and chips are found, granite pestles, hammers and
axes were occasionally found. They kept no records, traditions died with the
tribes and from these scattered relics of their lives only are w^e authorized to
conjecture and imagine what kind and manner of people were they to conquer
the wilderness, live, prosper and protect themselves with such crude instru¬
ments.

Undoubtedly the lake was visited by other tribes of Indians, predecessors
of the Potavvatomies, dating back and even beyond the so called Mound
Builders. They were no doubt, Indians differing in characteristics and habits
only, and not a separate distinct race of people. There are no mounds near
the lake though there are some within Indian striking distance. Ethnologists
now generally agree that a study of almost any tribe or race shows evolution.
There is no record of any trouble between the settlers in the few years between
the advent of the Whites and the leaving of the Reds. They liked and imposed
on the pioneers for food principally, but it was given good naturedly at least,
and so no friction occurred.

CHAPTER THREE

As soon as the final treaties in 1832 and 1834 were made with the
Potawatomies, surveyors appeared mapping, platting and surveying the county

HISTORICAL RECORDS

into sections according to the congressional laws of survey. Prior to that
time there were few, if any white residents, only occasionally a trapper, but
the latter were not welcomed by the Indians. Neither was there a very large
field to tempt him astray.

There is considerable interest evidenced by a theory that LaSalle visited
the lake on his w r ay from the Mississippi. These early explorers confined their
travels almost entirely by water, and if it is true that LaSalle on his way to
and from the Mississippi passed through Cedar Lake he must have taken the
trail that leads to the Calumet River along the north and west sides of the
lake, and there to the Dam on the Kankakee at Momence where boats were
built and the journey down was resumed.

The usual squatters appeared and took possession of what they thought
were the best tracts along the w*est side of the lake before surveys. Jacob L.
Brown in 1835 claimed all of what is now section twenty-seven, lying east of
the lake, considered one of the choicest. In turn he sold it to Hervey Ball,
father of our faithful and beloved Secretary, Rev. T. H. Ball, in 1837; in
1835 also Aaron Cox squatted across the road from the Brown tract, what is
now known as the Schubert farm; likewise David Homer selected a site.
The following year Sylvester Green, with a large family of his own, together
with several brothers, selected a site; this afterwards became the Meyer farm.
Hiram Nordyke and sons came that year. After the surveys, practically all
of these squatters released for a consideration to those that subsequently
acquired the government title, and left for other fields. The west side of the
lake seemed to be the choice with the homesteaders for the stretches of timber
bordering on the lake afforded an ideal home site and the open prairies presented
opportunities for agriculture without the almost impossible task of clearing
the land of its heavy timber, which undertaking afforded small encouragement
to the pioneers. Claims on the southeast corner were taken up by Horace
Edgerton, Adonijah Taylor, Doctor Calvin Lilley, Horace Taylor; and
others came and established West Point, wholly on paper however, and
seriously competed for the location of the county seat. Under the inspiration
of the Balls, free instruction was given at their home, probably during the
winter and spring of 1837 and 1838. Subsequently a large school house was
constructed. The Ball home, for a decade, was the center of church and
school work, literary societies, news, books, and so forth.

Communication with the outside, before the construction of that branch
of the Michigan Central railroad commonly known as the Joliet Cut Off, and
the establishment of a station known as the Lake, in 1850, when a stage went
daily to Crown Point, was very slow and uncertain. Undoubtedly our first
mail received by those settlers coming from the east was over what was known
as the Detroit and Fort Dearborn mail route. There was also a mail route
from Indianapolis to the Lake Court House and what is now known as Val¬
paraiso, and Michigan City, also a route from Michigan City to Joliet. With
the building of a railroad through Crown Point a star route was established
from there to Brunswick passing along the north end of Lake, which first
delivered the mail once a week and finally as often as twice a week. Everybody
knew the mail man, and for a long time he took the place of the newspaper
in carrying around the news and gossip of the week. With the completion
of the Monon railroad, mails arrived twice a day. The Lake was fortunate in
attracting many Germans who left the Fatherland, following the unsuccessful

LAKE COUNTY

revolution in 1848 in Europe, who refused to bow to the growing despotism
of the Hohenzollems. Many of the best families came shortly after; the
Beckmans, Von Hollans, Scheutzes, Schuberts, Herlitzes, Hoffmans, Meyers,
and many others, who did much to raise the high standard of citizenship and for
the agricultural development of the neighborhood.

The pioneer life of the Lake did not differ essentially from that of many
other similar wildernesses; of course, there were no markets except exchange
and barter between the homesteaders. For many years it was a constant strug¬
gle to obtain sufficient sustenance for family and stock, to purchase simple
farm equipment, to clear the land and build homes and barns. Wheat, corn
and oats were the principal grains. Of course it was cut with scythe and
cradle, and fed from the shock or flailed by hand. It was a long, long road
to the gristmill, almost as long as the fabled road to Tipperary and inasmuch
as it was impossible to make an appointment with the proprietor, you might
arrive and find many others waiting their turn, which together with the
limited capacity of the mill made the delay almost interminable. Poor roads
added to the isolation. It was fairly easy going when there were frosts, and
snow was not too deep for sleds, but during the spring, trips were barred. A
journey to Chicago with a load of wheat or hogs, was almost as much an
event as a trip around the world is today; not that there was much chance of
one’s being lost, for when one once struck the trail there were few byways to
lead one astray. Bridges were most uncertain; breakdowns were frequent
and the successful teamster was he, who in addition to being a master of
horse or oxen, possessed that rare combination of wheelwright and blacksmith
and who could with very primitive tools and material, practically re-build his
wagon in the event of a breakdown. Now don’t think that if he got there the
worst was over, for in many cases the return load was just as large as the one
that he took.

The first task the early pioneers undertook was to construct a small one-
story cabin, out of green logs with a mud floor, slab roof, usually about 12x16
feet containing a door, a small window closed w r ith cloth or greased paper.
Later there were a few f that had several panes of window* glass in sashes. It
is contended that the one constructed in 1837 or 1838 was the first two-story
cabin in the county. This one is also claimed to be the first school house in
Lake county, not that it was established by virtue of authority of law' and sup¬
ported by taxation, but that it was a common meeting place for instruction and
improvement under the guidance of Judge Hervey Ball and his gifted sons
and daughters. This cabin, having for years housed hogs and chickens, was
torn down in 1903 or 1904. There are a number of post card pictures of it.
In my opinion and judgment they are entitled to be preserved and remem¬
bered as of the first school house in Lake county. None of the log cabins are
now left. The Aaron Cox cabin across the trail from the Ball cabin has
since been plastered and clapboarded and is now occupied by John Schubert,
so that no evidence of its former construction is visible, and it is probably the
only one now remaining. The others passed ignominiously into barns, sheds
and tool houses and were finally torn dowm and burned.

Wild fruits were plentiful, strawberries, blackberries, plums, followed
each other in season and were preserved or dried, without an over allowance
of sugar, which was more prohibitive in price and procurement than it has
ever been in our war days. Even the lowly crabapple was not despised.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

There was a large cranberry patch on the farm of Von Hollan, which was
useful to these pioneers, as well as profitable to its owner for many years.
Deer, rabbits, squirrels, quails, grouse, and fish all played not a small part in
the larder of the settlers. Really all that they depended upon the outside
world for was sugar, tea, coffee, and salt. Did I say sugar? Even the bee
tree and sugar maple made this almost unnecessary. Certainly not such a
variety of food as to tempt the appetite of the jaded epicure of today, but it
was substantial and wholesome and it bred a type and character of men and
women strong in body, clear in mind, resourceful, that have no counterpart
in the succeeding generations. It is not for the historian to moralize, but
there is a lesson that has almost been forgotten in the enforced privations of
the pioneers. With ever increasing smoothness the pastoral life of the happy
agriculturist passed. He heard the calls of the Mexican and Civil wars and
volunteered. He performed every private and official duty with honor and
fidelity. It was only with the revelry of the desecrators introduced by the
railroad that the peaceful, happy and harmonious life was broken.

CHAPTER FOUR

For many years before the advent of the railroad the Lake was favorably
known throughout the region as a wonderful place to catch fish; occasionally,
a Sunday school or a local organization within easy wagon travel would hold
a reunion or a picnic upon its bank. The first Fourth of July celebration in
Lake county was held on the east side in 1838. It was at the time of the
natural balance of life which nature somehow has always endeavored to main¬
tain. A man who owned a boat, however leaky, unpainted or unseaworthy,
was a fellow whose acquaintance and friendship was desired and too often
imposed upon. I can remember when there were not to exceed six boats upon
the lake. An incident was related to me when a youth, by Able Farwell, a
son of one of the earliest pioneers of Hanover township, an old man at the
time, about how they cast a sein into the lake and one haul filled the wagon
box level with all kinds of sunfish, pickerel, black bass and croppies. The
fishermen that came in those days used the still-fish method, using principally
worms for bait, and it was a poor day and a poor fisherman who could not
within the half day time that he usually allotted to himself, catch enough to
last for days.

For many years, a railroad was operated between Indianapolis, Louis¬
ville, and Monon, and having Michigan City for its northern terminus.
Probably this was the first and oldest railroad in the state having its northern
terminus at Michigan City, upon the theory that it was destined to be the
Great Lake metropolis of the west. However, when Chicago took the ascen¬
dancy, numerous attempts were made to extend a branch of said railway,
commonly known as the Airline, from Monon, northward towards Chicago.
The first attempts were made shortly after the ending of the Civil war. In
the early 7o’s much of the road bed from Lowell northward was dug and
graded, but before the rails and ties were purchased and laid it ended in the
bankruptcy of the builders and contractors, until finally in the early 8o’s the
road was actually constructed and operated like most new railroads. Rails
were laid as far as Dyer, later to Hammond, and then connecting at the state
line with one of the belt lines into Chicago, which has ever since been main¬
tained. Prior to this time there was but one public hostelry' on the lake, kept

LAKE COUNTY

by John and Nancy Binyon, later by his son Crip, and succeeded in turn by
a grandson of the first keeper. This place was famous for its wonderful home
cooking and was the Mecca of all diners that it could accommodate, both
before and after the opening of the Lake to metropolitan visitors. Indeed, it
seemed that the origin of the now popular and universal feast known as
chicken dinners had its origin and inception at Binyon *s.

The passing of many passengers along the western shore of the beautiful
lake undoubtedly aroused the interest of many people and in 1881 Doctor
Robert Hunter of Chicago, rented ten acres of land near the northwest corner
of the lake, and the station of Cedar Lake was established near by, and a
hotel and picnic resort was constructed by him; a year later a Von Borstel
built adjoining. Large numbers of boats were purchased, small steamers
launched and great efforts were made to secure lodges, trade associations, and
factories, practically all from Chicago, to hold their annual outings at the
Lake, and so for many years during the months of July and August scarcely
a day passed without having an outing of some kind in these groves. Games,
contests of all kinds, dancing, boating, and fishing were on the program of the
day. It is estimated that some of the large affairs would have as many as
twenty thousand people in attendance.

Where, before, the oaths of the midnight revellers w*ere heard and the
painted ladies paraded their wares for inspection, now songs of praise ascend
and the happy laughter of children is heard. The perfection of the automobile,
following in the wake of the horse, and oxen, and the development and ex¬
tension of the modern stone pavement has rendered the Lake easily accessible
at all times to the great cities. Subdivisions have been laid out and many
summer cottages have been built, making it possible and comfortable for
families to live in the beautiful outdoors for months while the heads of the
households can daily go back and forth by automobile. Ice making machinery
has made transportation and harvesting of natural ice unprofitable. The resort
hotel has become unpopular. The birds and animals are returning to their
former haunts; nature is slowly covering over its many wounds and the Lake
is taking on something of its former beauty, harmony, and simplicity.

If we could have a glance into the future, we might see a picture of many
suburban homes, a beautiful community, tenanted by happy families, the
owners of which are able to work in the urban centers and go back and forth
each morning and night by aeroplanes as safely as their predecessors did by
wagon, motor car, rail, horse, or foot.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

A Daughter of Deep Riuer

A Story of Pioneering Related Dec. JI , IQ22, by Mrs. Mary IVood Vincent.

I was born at Deep River and have lived in Lake county all my life—
eighty-two years. One of my ancestors, John Wood, came from England, in
1629, and settled at Lynn, Massachusetts. My grandfather, Moses Wood,
of Andover, Massachusetts, fought in the Revolution, and was at the battle
of Lexington. My father, John Wood, was born in 1800 and died at Deep
River in 1883. He came to Wood’s Mills from Salem, in 1835, and built
and operated a sawmill and a gristmill. That is why they called the place
Wood’s Mills. He built a log cabin and then went back to Massachusetts
and brought out the family. They came to Detroit, and from there by stage
to Michigan City, where Daniel and Nathan Lowe, nephews of my father,
were living. They brought the family on to Deep River, a distance of twenty-
five miles.

We had no near neighbors other than the Indians at Deep River. It
.was all hazel brush around Valparaiso, and but one man, a sort of hermit,
lived there. Father and mother knew the Joseph Bailly family well, and
often stopped at their home. They knew another family by the name of
Dillingham. Solon Robinson was at Crown Point. A Mr. Pierce conducted
a tavern south of Lake Station, between Wood’s Mills and Centerville (now
Merrillville). The Gibson tavern, w'hich stood along the stage road w'as, if
I remember correctly, the only building on the present site of Gary.

Our place was on the Sauk Trail, now known as the Lincoln Highway—
the state road running to Joliet. We always took the stage to Westville.
Travelers were required to pay toll between there and Michigan City.

About 1850 we all went to Lake Station to see the first train enter Lake
county. It was on the Michigan Central road, and people came for miles to
see it. I remember it well, as I was about ten years of age at the time. There
was a small hotel there then, which I believe is still standing.

There were many Potawatomi Indians at Michigan City, who often
came out to Deep River to hunt and trap. In 1841 or ’42, about five hundred
of them came through Deep River, on their way to the reservation in the
southwest. They stopped near us for two days to rest and to let the squaws
do their washings. There w ere several guards w'ith them. One of the officers
stayed with us w’hile the band camped there.

When California w f as opened up, lines and lines of covered wagons from
Michigan and other states, passed our place from early morning until late
at night. Many of the travelers stopped and camped near us, and would come
to the house to get water and supplies.

Editor s Note: Airs. Vincent is now living with her daughter , Mrs. O.
B. Nesbit, at 444 Jackson Street, Gary.

LAKE COUNTY

Rotes on Eagle Creek Township

Oscar Dinwiddie

Interesting is the chapter from history which deals with the parcelling
up of the great Northwest Territory. Twenty-one years after Indiana had
passed from this territory into statehood, the County of Lake, by act of the
Legislature, became independent of its mother county, Porter. In Lake
county three townships were established, with a justice of the peace in each.
On May 9, 1839, the commissioners further divided the township bordering
the Kankakee river, into three new townships, Eagle Creek, Cedar Creek,
and West Creek.

Many of the early settlers of Eagle Creek township were easterners who
first settled at Indian Town, Porter county. Among them were descendants
of Simeon Bryant, together with Thomas Dinwiddie, his son, John W., and
daughter Margaret. These families came to Indian Town in 1836, when
the Potawatomi Indians still w^ere there in considerable numbers. At the
same time, came Mrs. Susannah Patterson Dinwiddie, widow of David Din¬
widdie (who was the sixth David in succession.) She was accompanied by
her daughter, who was the widow of a Dilley, and by her grandson, David
Dilley. “Aunt Susan,” as she usually was called, drove an ox-team from
Trumbull county, Ohio. Soon after her arrival at Eagle Creek township,
she located a quarter-section of good land, for which she received a patent
from the government. Members of the Dilley family still own this land,
and one of the descendants holds the original deed.

Among the other early settlers of the owmship were: George and Orrin
Smith, A. Goodrich, M. Pearce, E. Caplin, Joseph Morris, Reverend Daniel
Crumpacker, Rev. George A. Eadus, John Brown, John Oliver, David and
Robert Mitchell, James and George Doak, John and William Fisher, the
Posts, Kingsburys, Cockrans, Flints, Burgesses, Luthers, Donnehuas, Brays,
McCanuses, and Moffards.

John W. Dinwiddie lived for some time at Indian Town. He contracted,
in the early 40*s, to build two sections of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
While so employed he met and married Jeanette Perkins, a teacher, of Rome,
New York. They were married in 1844, and lived in a log cabin which he
built at Hickory Grove. As they were unable to obtain doors, window glass,
or flooring, they hung blankets and quilts over the openings, and used the
bare earth as a floor. In this way they spent their first winter.

Their first child, which was born there September 2, 1845, slept in a
cradle of black walnut, which had served as a mixing tray for dough. The
cradle, less the rockers, is still intact.

In 1849, John W. Dinwiddie was appointed by the county commissioners
to let the contract and superintend the construction of the second courthouse
of Lake county.

In 1857* he dug the first ditch through the Sand Ridge to drain the Cady
marsh. While digging this ditch his men struck a pine log and cones twenty-
five feet below the surface.

At one time he owned about 3500 acres of land in the region of the Kan¬
kakee river. He died in 1861, while serving as township trustee.

Religious services were usually held in private residences or log school-

HISTORICAL RECORDS

houses. About 1839, Oralando V. Servis conducted a Sunday school in a
cabin on the land owned by Gibson Parkinson. In 1842 Charles Kenney
organized a Sunday school at Southeast Grove. Reverend J. N. Buchanan,
pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Hebron, preached in 1852, at
Southeast Grove, and occasionally at Plum Grove. On February I, 1862,
the Eagle Creek Baptist church was organized, with Elder G. F. Brayton,
as pastor.

The early settlers usually disposed of their farm products at Michigan
City or Chicago. A trip to market, which was considered an event, was as
a rule unprofitable. In 1839, George Parkinson drove to Michigan City, a
distance of forty miles, to sell pork, for which he received $1.50 a hundred
pounds. On another occasion he hired a man to haul a load of grain there,
and after paying for the hauling had but fifty cents left from the sale.

Editor s Note: But a part of Mr . Dinwiddie's report is given; his com¬
plete report would make an interesting volume in itself .

LAKE COUNTY

Hit jftrmortam

George Doak, settler in Southeast Grove in 1855, a prominent farmer,
died July 5, 1924; 89 years of age.

John G. Hoffman, a prominent farmer of Ross township, died Novem¬
ber, 12, 1922 ; 76 years of age.

Mary Jane Brown, wife of William Brown, died January 18, 19141
83 years of age.

Margaret C. Vilmer of Crown Point, died May 28, 1924; 75 years of age.

Frank Balzer, an old settler, and owner of the farm where the Gary
Country Club is now located, died April 3, 1917; 77 years of age.

George Hayward, the last male member of a very large family who were
pioneers in Lake county, died near Hobart on April 1, 1923; 78 years of age.
Mary Ann Hayward, his wife, maiden name Sykes, died on April 4. 1923,
the same day George Hayward, her husband, was buried, and on the same
day the barn on the farm burned dowm.

Charles Both well, son of a pioneer farmer and stock buyer, died January
7, 1917; 64 years of age.

Hiram Barton, born in Cass county, Michigan, March 22, 1839; came
to Lake county at the age of nine. He served three years in the Civil War.
He died November 28, 1922, at the age of 83. Mr. and Mrs. Barton cele¬
brated their golden wedding in 1908. Mrs. Barton, who is eighty-three years
of age, is still living.

Myiel Pierce, the first w’hite child born in Merrillville, born February
I, 1844; died January 23, 1923; 79 years of age. He fought in the Civil
War and was a useful citizen.

C. William Bach, an old settler of Ross Jowmship, died December 27,
1920; 79 years of age.

Susan Diederich Krieter, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Diederich,
died September 3, 1924. Through industry and right living, she overcame
many obstacles and won many friends.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Recent Deaths

Date of Death

Age

S. E. Bryant. Eagle Creek

(1923)

December 2

Mrs. E. C. Fields. Chicago

Mrs. D. M. Kinder. Gary

Reuben C. Wood. Lowell

November 8

John Spry. West Creek

December 7

Joseph Gerlach, St. Johns

Ward Childers, Lowell

Mrs. Charles Carl. Kankakee. Illinois, formerly of Crown Point 18

Mrs. Elizabeth Gels. Crown Point

Andrew Lightfoot. Griffith

Mrs. Melissa Corey, Crown Point

Mrs. H. H. Purdy, Lowell

(1924)
January 2

John W. Milliken, Hammond

Mrs. Esther S. Bailey, West Creek

John F. Parchen, and wife

Theodore Craidon. Hammond

John Giebel. Crown Point

James E. Prevo. Lowell

Casper Telscher. Crown Point

Mrs. Theresa Hetzler. Cedar Lake

Aaron Crawford. Crown Point

Mrs. Augusta Shoddy. Griffith

Jacob Munster. Munster. Civil War veteran

Mrs. Marion Pierce. Merrillville

February 7

O. V. Servis, Eagle Creek, Civil War veteran

William C. Dennis, Shelby

February 5

E. H. Kuttner (died in Florida)

Thomas W. Cushman, Lowell

Patrick Reilley. Hammond

Mrs. John Schutz. Schererville

Eugene Zuvers, Merrillville

March 4

Mrs. Clara Jones Sinclair. Crown Point

Henry Dunning. Crown Point

Warren Dickinson. Lowell

John W. Bowman. Crown Point and Chicago

Mrs. William T. Buchanan, Eagle Creek

E. W. Van Sicklen. Crown Point

Mrs. Susan Patton Knopf. Lake Co., (died at Los Angeles.

Calif.) 22

Mrs. Mary Sutton Hayden. West Creek

Perry Morton, Crown Point

Mrs. Rachel A. Smith. Hurlburt Corners

Mrs. Ben W'orley, Cedar Creek

April 1

George Coffman. Crown Point

J. H. Jaoua, Crown Point, (d at Meridian. Miss.)

Joseph Russell. Griffith

Mrs. Caroline Saberniack. Hanover Center

Mrs. Benjamin Rouse, Schneider

Mrs. Chas. Batterman. Brunswick

Mrs. Amelia Heide. Crown Point

Mrs. Harry Ford. Cedar Lake

Joseph Gilg. Cedar Lake

Mrs. Mary H. Nethery, Eagle Creek

Mrs. Mary Laben. Crown Point

Adam Bargefeldt, Crown Point

April 19

Frank McKenna. Hammond

May 3

LAKE COUNTY

Mrs. Johanna Gerlach, Schererville

Ell Bowen, Water Valley

Thad Fancher, Crown Point

Ernestine Planer Dietrich, Crown Point

Edwin W. Dinwiddie, Eagle Creek

Mrs. A. W. Stommel

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sanger, Lowell

Mrs. Martha Burnham, Lowell

John Black, Crown Point

Gottfried Gans, Crown Point, (d. at Denver, Col.)

Mrs. Bertha Bryant George, Eagle Creek (d. in Chicago)

Mrs. Carrie C. Green, Crown Point

Joseph Tanner, Lowell

Mrs. Peter Miller. Lowell

Mrs. Ida H. Brownbridge

Robert Green, Crown Point

Mrs. Mary Doak, Southeast Grove

Mrs. Matthew H. Smith, Hobart

Charles Holmes, Gary

George W. Popp, Crown Point

William F. Young, Eagle Creek

Mrs. Gertrude Seeberger, Crown Point

George S. Doak, Southeast Grove

July 5

Henry Schoenbeck, Hanover

Frank Sargeant, Lowell

July 5

Herman Underwood, Crown Point

(Compiled by O. Dinwiddie)

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Deer Hunting in the Indiana Dunes

In the days of the stagecoach and muzzle-loading musket, the Indiana
dunes teemed with American red deer. Numerous varieties of moss and
herbs, and rank marsh grass, furnished them ample food; dense thickets of
pine, oak and poplar trees afforded suitable hiding places; the wide stretch
of open, sandy beach gave safe access to water.

Despite the ravages from wolves, hunters, and hounds, the deer remained
long after the sparse settlements along the Calumet river had become villages
and towns. In spring and summer they would run singly, or in small groups;
in winter as many as a hundred would run in a single herd. Mrs. John
Nelson, whose father-in-law conducted a tavern at Oak Hill, remembers
the time when she could look through the windows and see spotted fawn feed¬
ing in a nearby marsh. Mr. Henry Barton, of Merrillville, while driving to
Lake Station, now East Gary, saw a herd of about a dozen deer led by a
young buck which had about its neck a carefully tied ribbon. Darus Blake,
of Garyton, John Brown, of Crown Point, and others assert that deer were as
plentiful in the 50's as cattle are now, and that venison was as essential to
the diet of the early settlers as beef is to ours.

Of all the hunters of this region, Mr. Christopher Kimball, of Michigan
City, was perhaps the most successful. Hunting along the shore of Lake
Michigan, from the site of Gary to Grand Beach, he killed scores of deer.
The truth of his story, which follows, is vouched for by John Monahan and
other pioneers:

“In 1857, my brother and I had a great hunt near Michigan City. There
had been a heavy snow, followed by a thaw. Then came a gale which heaved
the water of the lake against the sand hills and wore the sides almost straight
dowrn, so that they w^ere like a perpendicular wall. In places they extended
as high as ten feet above the level of the beach. A couple of days of cold
weather put a gloss of ice on everything, so that we were unable to walk
without ice creepers.

“We started from Michigan City at seven o’clock, and before we got
three miles out, saw tw enty deer cross the road. We turned loose our fourteen
dogs, which immediately scattered through the woods. We follow ed several of
them to the lake. I had hardly reached the beach when a deer, followed by
one of the dogs, came bounding to the top of a hummock. I knelt and shot
this deer, and just as I raised up I saw four more; some in the water and some
on the beach.

“They were trying to get over the hill, but w’ould slip back and roll down.
I called Johnnie, my fastest dog. He did not try to climb the hill, but stood
at the base and when a deer rolled down, would grab it. Then there would
be a real fight. You have no idea how strong a deer is.

“My brother and I each killed one deer, and Johnnie killed five, that day.”

LAKE COUNTY

The PotdU7dtomi Indidns

Joseph Nocktonick

I will proceed with the Potawatomies as I got it from Jacob Massquass,
spiritual adviser of the Prairie Band, who was born near the Pawpaw Grove,
in 1820, and died recently.

After the treaties of 1832-3, the Potawatomies were divided into three
principal bands: The Prairie Band, under Wau-bon-sie; the Michigan, under
Pokagon, and the Wabash, under Topenebee. The band under Pokagon set¬
tled in Southern Michigan; those under Topenebee and Waubonsie made
their w*ay west of the Mississippi river. Later, a number of them located on
a tract of land which is today a part of Jackson county, Kansas. Many of
the Prairie and Wabash bands died of smallpox.

In 1846 the Potawatomies of the Prairie, of the Woods, and of the
Wabash, called a general council. Other chiefs of different bands were at the
council fire, drawing the Indians into one band. On June 5, 1846, at Council
Bluffs, Iowa, they made a treaty with the United States Government. After
this treaty they joined the Potawatomies of the Wabash, in Kansas. Another
band brought here by the government, was absorbed by the larger bands.

By treaty, in 1861, fourteen hundred under Waub-e-sai, their newly
elected chief, became citizens, took allotments and drew the principal funds
from the United States Government. They occupied a tract of land eleven
by eleven miles near Holton, Kansas. After the big payment, many of the
Indians who were dissatisfied with the treaty, went to Mexico, but later re¬
turned, some to Kansas, others to Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Wabash. In
the 70’s, rum and smallpox claimed many hundred souls.

At another treaty in 1872, Mazhee, Topenebee, and Meyan-co, chiefs,
bought a tract of land thirty by thirty miles, in the Indian Territory. They
are today without a reservation—gone to the four winds. The body of Chief
Topenebee now lies near South Bend, Indiana.

In 1861, the Potawatomies of the Prairie, under Wopsey, and Chief
Chalkduk, speaker of the band, decided to hold their share of land and money
in common. After the death of Wopsey, Shoughnissee became chief. Under
the Dawes act, they took their allotments, and are now living peacefully.
Their chief, Shoughnissee, died in the year 1900. They are today without
a chief.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

The Lord’s Prayer

In the Potawatomi Tongue

The Lord’s Prayer
0 te-pen-chi-ket mi mat kem won
Our Father who art in heaven
Nos-nan kin eyin Kah-kek-kmuk

Hallowed be thy name
M em-na-den-da-qak Ki-te-nos-win

Thy Kingdom come
Ki-tog-ma-win pe-ya-mi kuk

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Eh-nen-de-min nom-get Joh-teh kig ej-nom guk kah-keh Kmuk

Give us this day our daily bread

Mij-u nak gom-e-kij-ki-wok Ek-me-wa-bin wa-mich-yak

And forgive us our trespasses

Mi-ne po-nen-dum-wish-nak ej-nak-dum-ak

As we forgive them that trespass against us
Ej-pon-ge-tet-wo-kit O ma ne-nak-me-i-mit

Lead us not into temptation

Ke-ko Jow-Jesh-nak Kwetch-ti-ben-di-wi-nuk

But deliver us from evil

Motch ki-cho-Jesh-nak mi yash-dot-mo-nuk

Amen

Ej-weh-buk

LAKE COUNTY

Lake Indians Disit the Camp Sites
of Their Ancestors

Ni-gan-quet

We can now say, as did our venerable historian, Reverend Timothy Ball,
that, “We have had an opportunity to visit the Indian wigwams on the shores
of Lake Michigan—to see the squaws at work, the children at play.”

The Indians whose wigwams we visited are of the same tribe as were
those who occupied this region eighty-six years ago, when young Timothy paid
his memorable visit to the camp.

But time works changes, even in Indians. This band of Potawatomies,
who came here recently from their pastoral homes in southern Michigan, were
garbed in conventional woolen suits; they selected well-lighted rooms at a
modern hotel, and ordered their meals from printed bills-of-fare.

Among the fifteen members of the band, there were several mixed bloods,
representing five different tribes. They were registered under the following
names: Frank J. Hamilton, (Chief San-ke-che-wa-seh, a Potawatomi) with
his four sons, Jonas, Lewis, Francis, and Cecil; William Augustus (Miami),
Mrs. Carrie Augustus (Ottawa), and children, Francis, Martha and
Lillian; Peter Wesaw (Chippeway and Potawatomi), Mrs. Eliza Wesaw
(Potawatomi); Lewis Bazil, Mrs. Louisa Bazil (Potawatomi), and their
coy but charming niece, Vernadette Mosaw, age three. Chief Frank Canoe
(Iroquois), a guest of the band, took part in their dances.

Chief Hamilton, with much dignity of bearing, inherited doubtless from
his full-blooded Indian mother, Nancy Pokagon, ruled in true Indian fashion.
He arranged the business engagements, took charge of the funds, paid and took
receipts for bills incurred, and finally, called a council in his room and dis¬
tributed the allotments.

To all appearances these Indians are thoroughly civilized, but in reality
their hearts are still in the deep forests. Although the elders are fairly well
educated, much traveled, and in daily contact with the white man, their busi¬
ness transactions are conducted in a perfunctory manner. They show some
enthusiasm in displaying their baskets, bows and arrows; in setting up their
tepees; and in dancing the Sun, the Eagle, and other dances, about their im¬
provised camps. The women seem to be in their element when chatting to¬
gether as they mend the garments, do beaded work, or deftly weave baskets
of ash wood and sweet grass. They all seem quite transformed when, dis¬
carding civilian garb for buckskins, and lounging in groups, they hold animated
discussions on current topics, recount humorous happenings, or tell of the
“good old days” when their forebears hunted deer, speared fish, and gathered
wild honey, in the peaceful valley of the Calumet.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Joseph Nocktonick, the Indian Historian
and Educator

* Ni-gan-quet

A tribute is due Mr. Joseph Nocktonick for his services in furnishing an
abundance of reliable information concerning the Potawatomi Indians.

Possessing a fair education, having an aptitude for writing, and being
related to many of the most prominent Indian families, he is well qualified for
this work. He was born in 1864, in Shawnee county, Kansas; attended the
district schools, and later served as educational director and justice of the
peace in Jackson county’. Kansas. He was second cousin of Saugnash (Billie
Caldwell), of Ft. Dearborn fame; his mother, Psettah, who was bom in
northwestern Indiana, probably in what is now’ Lake county, was a niece
of Leopold Pokagon; his father was a grandnephew of Topenebce, principal
chief of the Potaw’atomies.

Mr. Nocktonick and Chief San-ke-che-wa-seh have conferred on your
Historical Secretary and wife, respectively, the names, Ni-gan-quet, meaning
the Eagle at Early Daw n, and Mi-nes-no-queh, meaning Lady Mars.

His letters, all of which are well and carefully written, form a valuable
addition to our historical collection.

Nc-gw’etch (thanks), red brother.

Early Schools and Teachers of
Lake County

W. C. Belman

We have met together today as Lake county citizens to commemorate
an event in our early history, and to dedicate to the memory of those who
have given their lives and energy to sustain and build into the commonwealth
an exalted idea of education, this tablet set in granite This, I take to be
appropriate. Surely the ideals planted in this community in years long gone
by still have their influence in an ever widening circle and will continue so
long as this tablet and granite endure. Who can measure the value of a noble
life and its impress on the generations that come and go?

The scene of our historic setting was the western shore of “The little
lake, as view’ed on a summer day, from prairie height, w r ith the blue sky above, is
beautiful beyond the art of painter to represent, because nature in sunny
loveliness reflects light from the crystal w r ater, and varying hues from the trees
that line its bank, and from the green herbage, and from the sunlit sky. The
glory of such a scene, in ‘leafy month of June*, and the blue dome above, the
sparkling, cooling w’ater, the green-robed oaks, and the flow’ery meads, and
above all the sunshine, painters may in colors bright and in fair outline
represent, but cannot equal. There are many lakes in this great lake region
of America, with grander outlines and with more majestic surroundings.
There can be none in June more sunny, there can be few more lovely.”

Thus w as described, by a member of the household, the setting which was

LAKE COUNTY

to become the home of a Christian family imbued with the Spirit of God,
and an unselfish devotion to the enlargement of the interests of men and women
by the influence of intellectual achievement and noble aspirations that became
a source of joy and happiness in after years to many of Lake County’s citizens
—many directly—very many by the unconscious absorption of high ideals
disseminated.

Upon the western banks of this beautiful lake came, in the year 1837,
the family of Hervey Ball, consisting of father, mother and five children, two
more children of the family being born at Cedar Lake. Hervey Ball being a
graduate of a Vermont college and being admitted to the bar, had proved him-
self a successful lawyer. He brought with him to his pioneer home, a large
professional and general library. He, however, devoted himself to farming
pursuits, the interest of raising his children, and the general improvement of
the community. He was for the thirty years of his life in Lake County
closely identified with the religious life of the county. He was an active
leader in the Baptist church, trustee of Franklin College, County surveyor for
several years, Probate Judge in 1844 and the first Worshipful Master of Lake
Lodge F. & A. M. from 1853 to 1859.

In 1865 he was instrumental with a few others in organizing the first
Sabbath School Convention in the County, and became its first president.
He also became the first president of the Lake County Agricultural Society
organized in 1851. This office he held for six consecutive years.

In June 1841, Mr. Ball with others, organized the Lake County Tem¬
perance Society, the meetings being held in the old log court house. In the
spring of 1838 on a claim held by Hervey Ball, was erected the largest and
best log school house in the county. This was the first school house built in
Lake county and remained public property until 1848. The picture of this
building is exhibited today.

The story of this family would not be complete without mentioning the
name of Mrs. J. A. H. Ball, who opened a school at Cedar Lake May 27th,
1839. This school became the first boarding school in the county. Here were
taught, besides the elementary branches, natural philosophy, “polite learning”,
surveying, algebra, Latin and Greek. Students came from Porter county and
Laporte county. Schools being commenced in other parts of the county, this
school was not continued as a winter school later than 1850 but continued as
a summer school until 1855. Its influence w'as marked by its inspiring students
to take up college life.

I desire now to give a historical sketch of the schools of Lake county.

The incidents and facts that are here mentioned are largely gleaned from
the several books and reports prepared by Rev. Timothy H. Ball. We do not
claim any originality in gathering these facts; scattered as they are through
many pages of history, special reports of the Old Settlers’ Association, and
other miscellaneous sources into such form as to emphasize the growth of
education in Lake county. We feel that in so doing we will preserve in a
tangible form the necessary material that we hope will make interesting reading
for those who desire information along these lines of thought.

I might say in passing that some may find much of interest in collating
the story of the growth of Church life, Newspaper efforts and other interests
of community life—nearly all the facts of which are given with accuracy in
the same sources from which I have gathered the educational facts.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

The first school in the county was taught by Mrs. Harriet Holton. The
school was kept in a private house, near what is now the Pan Handle Depot in
Crown Point, in the winter of 1835-36. There were three pupils. It is
thought that during the next winter two or three other schools were com¬
menced but no definite record is available. It was on May 27, 1839 that the
school previously spoken of above was organized by Mrs. J. A. H. Ball. This
was distinctly a boarding school. On the East side of Cedar Lake families
had settled and school had been held in a cabin built by Leonard Stringham,
then the school house was built in the summer of 1838, near the edge of
Center Prairie about a mile from the lake, and the following winter, school was
taught by Albert Taylor, Lorin Hall and then by Norman Warringer, fol¬
lowed in 1840 or 1841 by Miss H. Caroline Warmer and in 1843 by T. H.
Ball.

In the neighborhood of Creston the first school house was built in 1849
on the northwest corner of the center of Section 2, R. 9, T. 33. The second
school was built about 1857 a half mile farther south.

It was soon after the school taught by Mrs. Holton in 1835 that a log
school house was built in Crown Point and located on East street, probably
in the rear of the present jail, and in 1841 a small frame school was built
at the corner of East street and Walnut street, and w^as used for many years.

An idea of what kind of a building this w r as can be gleaned from a state¬
ment of Solon Robinson who said, ‘ This year (1841) a frame school house
w ? as built in Crown Point, which was the first respectable one in the county,
and I fear that the remark is true today (1847) for a decent provision for
schools has hardly yet been made in any part of the county. And I do not
mean to be understood that the Crown Point school house is at all worthy
the name of a decent one for the place, for it is not; although it is better than
the little old blank log cabin w’hich w T as in use previous to the building of this
one.”

I have copied that statement to show what handicaps the early pioneers
of Lake county endured and yet produced a generation of men and women
worthy of their names.

Perhaps the next school house to be constructed was the old log house
just east of the section corners near the center of Southeast Grove. Mrs.
William Brown is authority for the statement that Olive Hixon was the first
teacher in that school. The summer of 1842 Eliza Kinyon was the teacher.
Mrs. Wm. Brown and her oldest sister both taught in the old log house, and
Ellis Sargeant taught the last school in the old log house. In 1850 the men
of the community raised a subscription and built a frame building just south
of w r here the present Southeast Grove building now' stands.

In Lowell the successive stages of buildings w T ere practically the same
as other parts of the county. Jabez Clark came to Lowell in 1837 and built
the second log cabin in that vicinity. The first school, a log house, with hewn
benches, was constructed probably about 1840. It was located in what is now
the southeastern part of Low r ell on the corner of forty acres of land pre-empted
by Jabez Clark and w-as near the present home of Mrs. Furgenson. Mr. Clark
w r as one of the early teachers in this school. Other early teachers in Lowell
were Adam R. Nichols, Emily Lefler, Sabina Flint, Calista Cross, Cynthia
Hogan, Harvey Austin, John Pashley, John Dw-yer, Harriett Parsons, Julia
N. Wheeler, Philander Cross and Horatio Starr.

LAKE COUNTY

The old log school becoming untenable, school was held in a private
building on what is now the Webb property.

Then was constructed a small brick building located at what is now the
end of Clark street and on the south side of Commercial avenue where is now
the Pixley store. In 1858 M. A. Halstead erected what was the finest school
house in the county. It was located where now stands the Lowell grade
school. It cost with its equipment eight thousand dollars. The writer of this
historical sketch was principal of this school during the winters of 1881-1883,
it being his first school work in Lake county.

West Creek township formed one of the earliest settlements in the
county. I am indebted to W. H. Morey of Lowell for the following state¬
ment:

“The first school in the township was taught in a small log school house
that was built in 1838 upon the east bank of West Creek, on the south side of
the county road, at a point near where Torry bridge now stands. The house
was built of unhewn logs, and was about 14x16 feet in size. The seats were
made of slabs and a rough board was placed on pegs across one end of the
room to serve as a writing desk. The materials and labor used in construct¬
ing the house were contributed by the people who lived in the vicinity. The
“English Reader” and the Testament were used as text books. Miss Orsula
Jackson taught the first term here. The patrons of the school were the
Spauldings. Jacksons, Brooks, Kitchels, Spragues, Greens, Wilkinsons and
Farleys. The house stood about ten years. After this, school was held in
dwellings for a time.

In 1854, a frame house w r as built on the present site of the Michael
school house. This building was moved away many years ago.”

Leaving the central part of the county for a while, we find that in North
township about one mile west of the village of Highland a school was erected
in 1857, and its first teacher was Miss Chloe Green. The second teacher was
probably Mary Howe, followed by Inez Wilcox, who later married Frank
Gibson. She now resides in Gary. She was born west of Merrillville in 1850
and attended w r hat was knowrn as the Butler school west of Merrillville.

David Gibson, who owned a hotel at what is now Gibson in Hammond,
hired a Scotch wood chopper to teach the children of the neighbors in his
private house. This was probably about 1845 and is likely the first school in
North township.

In Hammond, the first school was erected in 1863 on Hohman street,
between what is now Michigan avenue and Wilcox street. Its first teacher in
the winter of 1863-4 w r as Amanda Koontz. The term was sixty days, the
salary $20.00 per month and the pupils, nine in number, w^ere furnished by
the following families: Mr. Hohman, three; Mr. Goodman, three; Mr. Sohl,
two, and Mr. Drackert, one.

Mary Lohse taught the winters of 1864-66, Mr. Smith 1866-7, Mary St.
John began the term of 1867-68 and it was finished by Louise Dutton. Later
teachers were Louise Sohl, Miss Teed, D. McKinney, and Mary Harper.
The school in the year of 1876-7 was held in a new building just south of
where City Hall now stands. In 1881, another new building was erected on
Hohman street, corner of Fayette street. The waiter of this sketch began his
educational work in Hammond in 1883 in this building and continued for
eighteen years as city superintendent.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

In Gary, the establishment of schools began in the fall of 1906 with the
erection of a one-room frame school house near the Lake Shore tracks east of
Broadway. O. L. Wildermuth was the first teacher. The schools grew so
rapidly that another building was erected and R. R. Quillen was installed as
teacher. Inez Gibson was in charge of the former school south of the Pennsyl¬
vania railroad. In the spring of 1907 W. A. Wirt became the city superin¬
tendent.

In Hobart, the name of O. H. Spencer is mentioned as an early teacher
who began his work in 1852.

Returning now to Crown Point, the county seat, and the center of the
political and educational thought of the county, we observe this fact—the
demand of its citizens for scholarship, culture and refining arts, that could not
or at least, was not furnished by the impoverished public schools of the day,
called into life several private or boarding schools which had a very marked
influence in the development of a peculiarly strong group of men and women
in the years beginning with 1850 and not closing until the force of modern
educational advance had made its influence felt in the larger development of
the public schools, in the decade of 1880.

For the following facts of these private schools I am indebted to Mrs.
Sarah Montieth formerly Sarah Turner of Crown Point.

“About 1851 or *52, Mrs. Robinson, a daughter-in-law of Solon Robin¬
son taught a school for children in a room a few doors north of the Rockwell
house—later Miss Sears, who became Mrs. D. K. Pettibone, was the teacher
—a little later Rev. Wm. Townley, pastor of the Presbyterian church taught
quite a large school in a building where the Wheeler home is located, just
north of the Presbyterian church. He moved away about 1856. Several men
not being satisfied with the advantages of the public school held in the old
M. E. church, part of a block south and east of the present one, formed a
company and built “The Academy” located in the same lot with the Presby¬
terian church, but fronting on Main street. Among the stockholders were
Mr. David Turner, Mr. Wellington Clark, Dr. Pettibone, and I suppose
several others. They employed the best teachers they could secure. I think
Miss Cynthia Wallace was the first—then Miss Martha Gerrish, Miss
Amanda Beggs of Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn. She after¬
ward married Mr. Nevin, a United Presbyterian missionary. They went to
Canton, China, where she died a few years later. The last teacher was Miss
Susan G. Chase from Massachusetts. When she was married to Rev. J.
Lower, Presbyterian minister, the academy was re-modeled and became the
parsonage—about i860 or ’61. The three room public school in the south
ward was built and for several years Mr. Cheshire was the principal. He was
assisted by Mrs. Cheshire, and Miss Thomas who became Mrs. Foster.

Miss Mary E. Parsons, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke under Mary Lyon,
came about 1856. She had spent one year teaching at the “Western Female
Seminary” now the Western College at Oxford, Ohio. The first winter she
had her school in the “study” of Mr. David Turner’s house, with about six¬
teen young ladies of fifteen years or over. The next year it was moved to
“Luther’s Hall” where she had thirty or forty pupils including three or four
younger girls. She copied the Mt. Holyoke system in many respects, requir¬
ing each pupil to do some domestic w T ork at home, study a required time on

LAKE COUNTY

each lesson, and especially the Bible lesson, which was recited every Monday
morning and required at least an hour and a half for preparation.

The Christian atmosphere of the school under this consecrated woman
left a deep and abiding impression, especially upon the older pupils who became
sterling Christian women. Among them were Fannie (Vanhouten) Abrams,
Lizzie (Foster) Pearce, Joanna (Willey) Fisher, one or two of the Gerrish
family and Miss Little of West Creek. Miss Parsons hoped to found a Mt.
Holyoke school near Crown Point—but she died in 1859. A few years later
her former pupils had her remains removed to the New cemetery and erected
a monument to her memory. Her influence led the earlier pupils to Oxford,
the stream widening to include the many who have gone there from Crown
Point, Hebron, West Creek and I think reaching on to Hammond.”

As a close adjunct to the Public Schools the Literary Society in its vari¬
ous forms is an educational factor of no small force. Mr. Ball in his Lake
Country history, 1834-72, page 175, gives a good account of these several
societies. I give a short synopsis of them here.

As early as 1840 a debating club was organized and met in the home
of Solon Robinson.

In February, 1846, the Cedar Lake Lyceum was formed for the young
boys of Cedar Lake, Prairie West and West Creek. It accomplished much in
the cultivation of a literary taste and in promoting a desire for thorough men¬
tal culture, what money could not purchase. The next year was formed the
Cedar Lake Belles-Lettres Society which included girls among its members. It
met once a month and emphasized the writing of essays as a basis of its activity.

In 1848 was organized the Lake County Literary Society but did not
find the proper literary spirit in Crown Point to keep it long alive.

The Crown Point Literary Society was next, being organized in 1863.
This seemed to have had quite a measure of success.

The Pierian Society was formed in 1865 and was exclusively for mem¬
bers of the Institute. Mr. Ball's history gives the second annual program in
full and it surely had the appearance of being a strong, well-trained organiza¬
tion.

The Webster Society organized in 1869 was composed of all the best
society in town and performed its part in literary culture for a period of three
years.

Not only in Crown Point and Cedar Lake were these societies formed but
all over the county the spirit of the times seemed to express itself in the form
of a literary society or debating club or both combined. On page 342 of Lake
County, 1884, Mr. Ball gives an extended account of a society at South East
Grove which probably was typical of others throughout the county.

The educational history of Lake County would not be complete without
mention of the Crown Point Institute. This was organized May 31, 1865
by Timothy H. Ball. It held four terms each year of ten weeks each. It
occupied the site where is now the Crown Point Grade School. Its courses of
study offered a wide range. Primary work for the beginners and preparatory
work for college.

It also offered a three years' college course for young ladies. The life
of the Institute was not of long duration, having been closed at the end of its
sixth year.

Mr. Timothy H. Ball was the moving spirit of this school and it has

HISTORICAL RECORDS

been said that he really brought to the school some very highly educated and
cultured teachers. On closing the school the following statement by Mr.
Ball was published in the Standard of Chicago:

14 If labor for the mind and heart is profitable, if he who trains for activity
and usefulness young minds achieves success, then I doubt not that when the
involved radical of my strange earthly life is solved, the unknown quantities
representing six years of varied labor here w r ill come out in integers of de¬
terminate and real value. The equation is one which no mathematician at
present can solve, although he perceives entering into it a minus one thousand.
To sell, was for myself, financially needful; for the cause of education it w as a
retrograde movement. There are those whose real interests should have per¬
petuated such a school as a living pow r er for years yet to come”

In the same year that the Institute w*as established, 1885, there came to
Crown Point two ladies from Illinois, Miss Martha Knight and Miss Kate
Knight and started a boarding school for girls. Later they erected a larger
home and admitted boys and young men to their school. It w r as for several
years very successful and many of the young people of Crown Point during
the early seventies had their ‘private schooling* at the Misses Knight school.

The development of Teachers* Institutes is very interesting. T. H.
Ball’s history of 1884, page 130, gives quite an extended account of the first
held in the county. It opened November 1, 1852, in the Presbyterian church,
Crow n Point. This was a private enterprise, receiving no State aid or en¬
couragement. Mr. Townley, a Mr. Haw'kins of Laporte, a Mr. Jew r cll and
Heman Ball seemed to be the leading spirits of the undertaking.

In 1866 the first Teachers* Institute of the county under the direction of
the State w r as held and conducted by Mr. Cheshire, then school examiner. On
Thursday evening of that week a social gathering w’as held by the teachers. As
a part of the entertainment a poem written by J. H. Ball was read. This
poem contains many of the names of the teachers at that time. The poem is
printed in Ball’s history, 1834-72, page 133.

It is interesting to study the varying stages of growth and methods of
conducting these teachers’ institutes. We cannot take the time here to more
than call your attention to where the story may be found. Ball’s History,
1884, page 226-241, gives you a detailed account of each session of the Insti¬
tute opening December 20th, 1869, w ith J. H. Ball as leader. From page 241
to page 260, detail accounts of several other institutes are recorded. Com¬
parison of these accounts with the program of the modern Institute reveals
the advancement of educational ideals. Then they taught subjects, today we
endeavor to vitalize subjects to meet the needs of the child.

A reference to the list of men w r ho held office of examiner or County
Superintendent gives us the names of those who have largely moulded the
educational affairs of the county. David K. Pettibone, appointed June 6th,
1861, held office three years; William W. Cheshire appointed June 7th, 1864,
held office nine months; Zerah F. Summers, appointed May nth, 1865, held
office nine months; William W. Cheshire appointed December 6th, 1865,
held office two years and six months; James H. Ball, appointed June 4, 1868,
held office five years; Thaddeus S. Fancher, appointed June 1873, held office
two years; James McAfee, appointed June 12th, 1875, held office three years;
William W. Cheshire, appointed October 14th, 1878, held office three years
and six months; Frank E. Cooper, appointed April 13, 1882, held office twenty-

LAKE COUNTY

three years, six months; W. R. Curtis appointed October 27th, 1905; held
office two years two months; Frank F. Heighway appointed January 1, 1908
held office thirteen years; A. E. Condon, appointed January 15th, 1921 is now
in office.

The normal school had no small part in the educational work of the
county. For an extended account we refer you to Ball's History, 1884, page
260264. A short summary I give here. The first Normal work was given
in 1872 by T. H. Ball. The idea was to give the young teacher a broader
view of the academic studies she was expected to teach, and instruction as
to methods of teaching. This particular Normal School took on the name
of “Lake County Gymnasium and Normal School." This school closed in

1879.

Beginning with 1876 the Normal was conducted by the County Super¬
intendent, Mr. McAffee holding the first one.

In 1884 County Superintendent Cooper together with W. C. Belman,
Superintendent of the Hammond schools, opened what was the largest normal
school that had been held in the county, one hundred five teachers studying
for eight weeks to prepare themselves for better work of instruction. These
two men conducted the normal school for eight successive summers.

Ball's History, 1884, page 265 gives a detailed list of towns and cities
schools, also a complete list of all of Lake County teachers for school year
1884 to which we can only refer.

It is very interesting to compare the following statistics to obtain some¬
what of an idea of our educational values in Lake County.

These figures were obtained from the County Superintendent's office:

1884

Value of school property_$140,500.00

Number of school buildings_ 103

Number of teachers_ 174

Total cost of education_

Number of pupils_

Enrolled in High School_

Graduated from High School

1923

$8,088,516.00
24 consolidated
8 one-room
1035

$4,093,238.48

30,473

3.885

415

I cannot close this sketch of educational history without special mention
of the Rev. Timothy H. Ball, the only man in Lake county who has con¬
sistently gathered the facts and incidents of its history. From all sources has
he collected details of the life and activities and recorded them, many of them
perhaps of little worth, but all of them w’ith some value w hen placed in their
proper setting to form the correct data of our pioneer life.

The facts that I have tried to arrange above are to be found, some of
them in the by-ways of his writings, some of them in the full light of his
descriptions of events as he recorded them. His was a life devoted to Lake
county, as a teacher, as a minister of the Gospel, as a citizen doing his duty
as he conceived it, as an historian to record the events of his day that the
future citizen might gather inspiration from the lives of those who laid the
foundation for our modem civilization.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

The purpose of his life is best expressed by his own quotation of word at
the close of his history of Lake County, 1884.

"/ live for those who love me.

For those who know me true.

For the Heaven that smiles above me,
fad awaits my spirit too;

For the wrong that needs resistance.

For the cause that lacks assistance,

For the future in the distance,

And the good that I can do ”

LAKE COUNTY

tiou; IDe Incorporated the Town

By C. Oliver Holmes

When, in the course of the working out of the program of the United
States Steel Corporation (through its subsidiary, the Illinois Steel Company)
looking towards the establishment of additional facilities, it had advanced far
enough to begin operations on the field, one phase was, of course, the organiza¬
tion of the town site. This included the proper machinery for municipal
government, whether small or large, the promotion and development of the
facilities that go writh modem communities, including due regard for proper
legal procedure.

The local activities (and by “local” we mean those adjacent to, but dis¬
tinct from the plant site) were more directly under the charge of A. F. Knotts,
who was in the spring and summer of 1906, Manager of the Gary Land
Company.

Along w’ith the rest of the equipment and personnel that came in w^as
the brother of Mr. Knotts, known by everyone as “Tom,” formerly a Police
Commissioner, and for a number of years Night Sergeant of Police in the
City of Hammond, w r ho moved his family to Gary, locating on Prospect Ave¬
nue, on a site close to what is now the depot of the South Shore Railroad.
This took place in April, and in May, Mr. A. F. Knotts arranged for his
stenographer to establish residence with the brother in Gary, looking towards
qualifying him for whatever the developments would prove to be necessary, in
the way of organization of the community.

These moves proved to be none too prompt, as the developments came
rapidly thereafter, and on the nth day of June, 1906, formal typewritten
notices were posted on three several trees among the sand-hills of the intended
Gary, giving notice that a petition would be presented to the County Com¬
missioners about twenty days thereafter, praying the Commissioners to act upon
the intention to organize a town and to order an election if the facts so
warranted.

It is interesting that though there were 334 residents in the territory
proposed to be incorporated (w'hich, by the way, did not include the then
town of Tolleston, that being taken in later by annexation) the legal require¬
ment for at least one-third of the voters was met by the signing of the follow¬
ing fourteen names: J. F. McPherson, William Schreer, J. C. Swanson, A.
C. Blocki, August Barge, Louis A. Bryan, John E. Sears, J. C. Bourth, E. J.
Jewell, Wilhelm Bork, John Howell, Fred F. T. Miller, Wilhelm Schroeder,
and Louis Prohl.

Since the petitioners had to be bona fide voters, the carpet-baggers who
had “blown in,” including the Manager of the Gary Land Company, and his
stenographer, could not qualify. The necessary bond in the sum of $500 hav¬
ing been put up, the County Commissioners with due regard to the formalities,
ordered the election to be held on July 14, 1906. On that date the Com¬
missioners of the Election, namely, John E. Sears, Louis A. Bryan and Edward
E. Hall, after patient waiting all day, managed to gather in 38 votes, of which
37 were for, and one against incorporation.

The tradition as to the one against, is that it was probably cast by one of
the duck-hunting pioneers, who had stopped at Tolleston on his way over to

HISTORICAL RECORDS

the election and that this was his silent, although ineffective, protest against
the coming of civilization.

Another tradition is to the effect that the original anti-Company attitude
first found expression here, probably in the mind of someone who was con¬
vinced that it would be unwholesome for the Company to have unanimous
approval and for that reason cast his vote against the incorporation.

The County Commissioners, in special session, on July 17, 1906, after the
returns were in, declared the municipality duly incorporated, and for election
purposes divided the town into three wards so that there might be candidates
from these several wards, for the organization of the first Town Board, also
ordering the first town election, which was held on July 28, 1906. when Mil¬
lard A. Caldwell was the only candidate for election as Trustee of the First
Ward; T. E. Knotts, of the Second Ward, and John E. Sears, of the Third
Ward.

There were two candidates for Clerk and Treasurer. William A. Walsh
ran for the combined office of Clerk and Treasurer, while he was opposed by
Louis A. Bryan for Treasurer, and by C. O. Holmes for Clerk. The election
inspectors were L. A. Bryan, John E. Sears and John Stewart. The results
of the election were 48 votes for Caldwell; 49 votes for Knotts; 49 votes for
Sears; 20 votes for Walsh for Clerk; and 19 votes for him for Treasurer; 28
votes for Bry an; and 29 votes for Holmes.

In other words, the Trustees were duly elected and the Irishman who
tried to walk away with both offices was beaten by the native son for the
rreasurership and by r the Company’s stenographer for Clerkship. Bryan
promptly arranged for the Clerk to do the Treasurer’s work and spent the
winter in California, being the first man in Gary to own an automobile.

Somewhat as a matter of accommodation to the person later appointed
Town Attorney, who had steered the municipal ship through the shallow
waters of its beginning course, the Board of Trustees met every Saturday
afternoon at 4:30, the first meeting being on July 30, 1906, at which meeting
Ordinance No. 1 was adopted. Gary’s acquisitive nature and her tendency to
take in everything in sight betrayed itself even at this early date, since Ordi¬
nance No. 1 was for the purpose of annexing some land that had been over¬
looked in the original sweep.

This first meeting was held at the Gary Post Office building, all of the
Trustees being present. The meeting was called to order by John E. Sears.
Thomas E. Knotts was nominated by John E. Sears for President of the Board,
while John E. Sears was nominated by Millard A. Caldwell. When the bal¬
lot was taken, Knotts received two votes and Sears one. C. Oliver Holmes,
having been elected Clerk of the Town, was present at the meeting as Clerk
of the Board.

At the meeting held August 18, the Town Board elected Louden L.
Bomberger of Hammond, Town Attorney, which office he held for four years,
at a salary of $1200 per year, although he did not move to Gary'. At this
meeting the need for funds, which need seems never to have been fully met
since, was so much with the Board of Trustees that they ordered the Clerk to
secure the necessary’ warrants for use by the Treasurer. On pay-day the
municipal camp followers got what looked like a check, but on the back of
which was duly certified in a very formal manner that there were no funds in

LAKE COUNTY

the treasury and that the bearer would get 6% interest until the Treasurer
could redeem the warrants.

At this meeting, among other items of business transacted, the Clerk was
ordered to procure one marshal's star; three deputy marshal's stars; four
pairs of handcuffs, that is, one pair for each police officer; and six police clubs,
this number being placed a little higher on the theory that some of the heads
might prove rather hard in the early days, hence harder on the clubs.

What was more important, however, both to the community and to the
individual, as it proved in his case, the foundation of which has since come to
be a national reputation in municipal engineering, w*as the official appointment
of A. P. Melton as Tow r n Engineer.

The roster of the first municipal organization, therefore, stood as follows:

Board of Trustees:

Thomas E. Knotts, President,

John E. Sears,

Millard A. Caldwell,

C. Oliver Holmes, Clerk,

Louis A. Bryan, Treasurer,

Frank C. Chambers, Marshal,

A. P. Melton, Civil Engineer,

Louden L. Bomberger, Attorney.

School Board:

C. Oliver Holmes, President,

Thomas H. Cutler, Secretary,

Edward Jewell, Treasurer.

In the meantime, the Tow r n Clerk had secured the necessary bond to
permit him to issue the warrants that could not be paid, the bond having been
placed at $1,000, the sureties thereon being John O. Bowers, and John N.
Beckman of Hammond. The bond of the Treasurer, L. A. Bryan, was fixed
at $25,000 and signed by A. F. Knotts and A. M. Turner. Frank C. Cham¬
bers was appointed Town Marshal, his bond being fixed at $500 and signed
by Lawrence Cox, then a Sheriff of Lake County, and W. F. Bridge, City
Engineer of Hammond.

Not until the meeting of September 1, 1906, were the salaries fixed for
the employes, the Treasurer being allowed $300 per year; the Clerk $480 per
year; the Engineer $1200 per year; and the members of the Board of Trus¬
tees $3.00 for each meeting attended.

The assessed valuation of the taxable property of the Towm of Gary for
the year 1906 was $2,778,645. The first plat approved was that of the Gary
Land Company’s First Subdivision, September 1, 1906.

The need for meeting the educational problem was faced by the appoint¬
ment of a Board of School Trustees consisting of Thomas H. Cutler, town
site engineer of the Gary Land Company; Edward Jew T ell, hostler of the
B. & O. R. R., and the stenographer of the Gary Land Company, whose other
duties included Clerk of the Town Board, Superintendent of the Sunday
School, official reporter for the Lake County Times, Assistant Post Master
(the chief duties being to carry the shoe box from the tent in which he lived
over to the post office in the morning, and back again in the evening), switch¬
board operator for the Gary Land Company (the switchboard being the lone

HISTORICAL RECORDS

telephone that came over from the mill site, through which all of the town
site business had to be transacted by way of Chicago,) and later, that is, in
the fall, the duly constituted precinct committeman, being even at that tender
age, namely, twenty-three years, a Republican.

On September io, at an adjourned session, the Board of Trustees awarded
the contract for the building of the first jail at $550, to be built by Harry
Miller, a carpenter contractor who had brought his family to Gary, in the
meantime. On Decmber 1, 1908, the names of several of the streets were
changed, the systematic nomenclature being adopted that is now so great a
convenience to_everyone, for example, 163rd street was changed to 9th avenue;
164th street, to 10th avenue, etc.; Highland avenue, to Washington street;
Irving avenue, to Adams street; Eastern avenue to Jefferson street, Washing¬
ton boulevard to Madison street, Bell avenue to Monroe street; Triet ave¬
nue to Jackson street; Eddie avenue to Van Buren street; and Broemmell
avenue to Harrison street.

On February 24, 1907, the first epidemic of small pox made necessary'
the erection of a pest house, information concerning the stealing of which, late
in the spring, got front page space in the Metropolitan dailies.

Out of the raft of routine affairs that came to the attention of the
Trustees and other officers of the community", one or two items of more than
general interest, included the adoption of the official seal. It had been naively
suggested to Judge Gary, the then Chairman of the Finance Committee of
the United States Steel Corporation, that the Town Board would be delighted
to include a bas-relief likeness in profile of the Judge in the design of the seal,
if that would meet with his approval. It not only met w r ith the Judge’s ap¬
proval, but appeared to please him as he immediately acknowledged the court¬
esy and indicated his desire to provide the necessary" seal.

In due course, the seal w"as prepared by Tiffany of New York, and by
ordinance on June 15, 1907, was adopted as the official seal, including a bas-
relief in profile of Judge Gary. The formal presentation w"as made by Mr.
K. K. Knapp, senior member of the firm Knapp, Haynie, and Campbell, who
had charge of the Steel Company’s business in the West. It was understood
that the seal cost Judge Gary over a thousand dollars. It is really a very" fine
piece of w’orkmanship.

In language somewhat stilted, and even ornate, the Town Trustees ex¬
pressed their appreciation to the founder of the Steel Corporation as follows:

“Whereas Judge E. H. Gary has presented to the Town of
Gary, Indiana, wffiich is named for lym, a seal for the use of said
town, and

“Whereas the Trustees of said Town appreciate the act of Judge
Gary in presenting to the Tow n the seal, which in excellence of work¬
manship and artistic finish, is surpassed by none, not even the great
seal of the State.

“Therefore, Be it Resolved, that the thanks of the Trustees of
said Towrn of Gary, and its citizens are hereby tendered to E. H.
Gary, and

“Resolved, Further, that these Resolutions be spread upon the
records of the Town, and that a certified copy thereof, with the first
official imprint of the seal of the Town be sent to Judge Gary.”

LAKE COUNTY

The first franchise granted by the Town of Gary w’as on May 18, 1907
being the Gary Heat, Light and Water Company, for the installation of the
water works plant, the second for the installation of the gas plant, and the
third for the installation of the electric light and heating plant. There w’as
also adopted on that day, an ordinance granting a franchise to the Goshen,
South Bend and Chicago Railroad Company. It is the writer’s present im¬
pression that that franchise was never exercised.

This hastily gathered and awkwardly presented data gives but an imper¬
fect impression of the colorful and interesting experiences of those who had the
good fortune of being among the pioneers as they shaped and molded the clay
which has been ever plastic, but ever stiffening, in the hands of those who
would shape the destinies of this Magic City.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

REPORT OF

The Annual meeting Reid at the
IDoods’ Farm

By Emma Huehn Leary, Secretary

After another year, which has sped by so rapidly, the 56th anniversary
gathering of members and friends of The Lake County Old Settler and His¬
torical Association, took place, August 26, 1922, at the farm home of Samuel
B. Woods, Ross, Indiana.

Friends and relatives of Bartlet Woods, gathered to pay homage to the
memory of a man who had willingly contributed his share to democracy, and
who had proved himself a worthy citizen of Lake County. He died at Crown
Point in 1903. The inscription on the monument, now resting at the gateway
of Hickory Ridge Farm, which is also known as the Sam B. Woods* farm,
reads as follows: “In memory of Bartlett Woods, Pioneer 1837, Public
spirited citizen, who stood for the right.” Bartlett Woods was born July
15, 1818 in Winchester, England. In May 1836 he came to America, later
coming west to Lake County. In 1837 he purchased 240 acres of land from
the government, paying a dollar and a quarter an acre for it. On April 17,
1837 he was married to Ann Eliza Sigler. To this marriage there were born
the following children:

Mrs. Caroline Woods Randolph, of Crown Point,

William Woods, of Ross Township,

Jefferson B. Woods, of Boone Grove,

Sam B. Woods, of Ross Township,

Charlotte A. Woods, of Chicago,

Walter L. Woods, of Chicago,

Alice Woods Cormack, of Chicago.”

It was one of the happiest throngs that ever assembled under the stately
locust trees that shade the modern villa where once stood the log cabin of
pioneer days.

Mrs. E. A. Chaplain, of Grove Hill, Alabama, granddaughter of Hervey
Ball, whose memory was honored the previous year, was present.

John B. Turner, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was also present, the first time
in fifty-five years.

A picnic luncheon was served; the Woods family acting as hosts. The
meeting and ceremony was begun with invocation by Rev. S. S. McCutcheon.

A resume of the activities of the association during the past year was
given by the president, Mr. L. T. Meyer, who stressed the necessity of collect¬
ing historical data of the county. He also urged that each city in the county
should form a society similar to the one in Gary. The State Society has urged
that a survey be made in each city in the county in 1923. Once a great agri¬
cultural county, it is now one of the greatest industrial centers in the United
States.

The principal address was delivered by Mr. W. C. Belman, of Hammond,

LAKE COUNTY

who paid a magnificient tribute to the memory of Bartlett Woods. He con¬
cluded with these words:

“Today we pay reverence and homage to this worthy man. Today we
unveil this monument to his memory. This monument of granite that has
withstood the storm of world making is a fitting emblem to one who withstood
the storm of character making for so many years.”

M rs. Chaplin told of the exquisite pleasure she experienced in paying a
visit to the former residence of “Grandpa Ball” at Cedar Lake. She was
there when a little child, and she said that: “It seems that providence has
inspired me to visit the old homestead and I feel as though I were stepping on
sacred ground.”

On the suggestion of A. F. Knotts, of Gary, the Association decided to
mark the homestead of Hervey Ball, in 1923.

Officers of the Association were elected by acclamation as follows:

Col. L. T. Meyer, President, Hammond;

Louis Little, Vice-President, Lowell;

Emma Huehn Leary, Secretary-Treasurer, Hammond;

J. W. Lester, Historian, Gary.

Prizes were awarded as follows:

Oldest man present, John Black, born July 24, 1832.

Oldest man born in Lake County, John Brown, born, 1840.

Oldest woman present, Mrs. Elinore Phillips, born N. Y., 1832.

Oldest woman born in Lake County, Mrs. Cynthia Spaulding, born June
28, 1838.

Oldest married couple, Mr. and Mrs. John Hack, 1862; both 60 years
old.

Most recently married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Turner, June 1922.

Largest family present, Mr. and Mrs. John O. Bowers and four children.

Most generations present, John Black families.

Oldest Union soldier, H. Barton, 84 years old.

Youngest baby present, Roberta Malmstone, 10 months old.

One hundred fifty-seven members paid their dues, which amounted to
$ 3925 .

Received from Mr. Dinwiddle, $122.65.

Deposited in Citizen’s Bank, 9-9-*22, $44.25 dues and contributions.

Total $163.00.

Adjourned.

Mrs. LeGrand T. Meyer, President.

Emma Huehn Leary, Secretary-Treasurer.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Pioneers and Early Settlers

A list of members present at the Annual Meeting held in August IQ22 ,
who have resided in Lake County sixty years or more .

E. J. Nicholson, Crown Point; 74 years of age, came to Lake County in
i860.

Mrs. E. J. Nicholson.

Mrs. William Lennertz, Turkey Creek, born in Lake County, 1846.

Jerome Dinwiddie, born in Crown Point, April 17, 1848.

F. E. Farley, born in Crown Point, April 1855.

O. G. Wheeler, born March 4, 1842; came to Lake County 1847.

Mrs. Esther Underwood, born in Mishawaka. Ind., 1837, came to Lake
County in 1842, now resides at Crown Point.

John Hack, born in Lake County, 1843, resides at Low r ell.

M rs. John Hack, (nee Ann Driscoll,) born at Lowell, 1842.

Mrs. Stella Wallace, Low ell, R. R. 2; born at Orchard Grove, April

3 * 1853.

Joseph Reissig, bom 1852; came from New York state 1854.

W. H. Patton, born in Center township, 1859; resides at Crown Point.

Mrs. C. N. Barber, (nee Ella Taylor,) born at Low r ell, May 25, 1862.

Mrs. Fred Krieter, born near Hobart, August 27, 1857.

Mrs. J. S. Crawdord, born June 16, 1856, at South East Grove.

Mrs. Edith B. Griffin, born near Lowell, May 13, 1857.

Mrs. W. H. Michael, born at Lowell in 1850.

W. H. Michael, born at Lowell, 1847.

M rs. W. T. Holm, born at Crown Point, April 28, 1857; resides at 18
Glendale, Hammond.

Mrs. M. B. Meeker, Crown Point, born in Ohio, 1852; came to Lake
County in 1854.

John E. Fraas, born at Crown Point in 1859.

John B. Turner, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, age 77; former resident of Lake
County.

Mr. Lennertz, Merrillville, born in Ross township, April 16,1855.

L. G. Little, Lowell, born in West Creek township, February 21, 1861.

John Brown, Crown Point, born at South East Grove, October 7, 1840.

Oscar Dinw r iddle, born near Morris, Ill., September 2, 1845; came to
Lake County in 1847, resident of Lowell.

George S. Doak, Hebron, Ind., born November 22, 1834 * n Beaver
County Pa.; came to Lake County April 21, 1855.

Samuel B. Woods, born in Ross Township, 1856.

Hiram Barton, born in Michigan, March 22, 1839; came to Merrill¬
ville, September, 1848.

Mrs. Elinore Phillips, born in New York state, March 22, 1832; came to
Lake County about 1836; resides in Ross township, near Elliott.

Mrs. William H. Walter, formerly of Hammond, now residing at West
Palm Beach, Florida.

Colonel LeGrand T. Meyer, of Hammond, born at Cedar Lake.

LAKE COUNTY

The meeting at the Lake of the
Red Cedars

No recent meeting of the Association has been more carefully planned,
more entertaining, or more thoroughly appreciated, than the one held Sep¬
tember 15, 1923, at the Meyer homestead on the banks of The Lake of the
Red Cedars. The responsibility of obtaining prizes and arranging the pro¬
gram for this occasion was assumed almost entirely by Mrs. L. T. Meyer and
Mrs. E. H. Leary.

A graphic account of this meeting, written by Mr. Allen Naive, a rep¬
resentative of the Post-Tribune, is given in part, as follows:

“A lasting and fitting tribute was paid to Jane A. H. Ball, Judge Hervey
Ball, her husband, and their son, Reverend Timothy Ball, when the Lake
County Old Settler and Historical Association, Saturday afternoon, unveiled
a monument to their memory at Cedar Lake.

“The granite bolder, which is nearly three feet in height, and which will
stand for centuries as a monument to the Balls and the school they built, came
from the Boyd farm near Merrillville. It is mounted on a circular concrete
base, and to it is affixed a copper plate bearing the following beautifully en¬
graved inscription:

In Memory
of

1804 JANE H. BALL 1889

Judge Hervey Ball, her husband, an early probate Judge
of Lake County
Their son

1826 REVEREND TIMOTHY BALL 1913

Lake County Historian

Through the influence of these people, this community
remained one of the most prominent in religious, edu¬
cational, and literary achievements, during pioneer days.

The site of the first school in Lake County

“This farm on w T hich the first school was built, w r as purchased by the
Balls immediately after they came to Lake County in 1837, and is now owned
by Mrs. L. T. Meyer, wife of the late L. T. Meyer of Hammond, former
President of the Lake County Old Settler and Historical Association.

“The awarding of prizes was the occasion for much merriment. The
prize for the oldest married couple on the grounds, a rocking chair, was w r on
by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bassett, Gary, father and mother of Mrs. F. O.
Hodson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bassett are 83 years of age and have been mar¬
ried 60 years.

“The prize for the oldest woman on the grounds, a pocketbook, was cap¬
tured by Mrs. Elinore Phillips, 93 years of age. Being 94 years old and the
oldest man on the grounds, John Laws w r as able to capture the prize in his
class, a gold pencil. The prize for the oldest man bom in Lake County, six
pairs of sox, was won by Oliver Surprise, age 84.

“Mrs. Cynthia Lodge Spaulding, age 85, won a shawl for being the oldest
woman born in Lake County. The prize for the youngest girl at the meeting

HISTORICAL RECORDS

was won by Katherine Kingsley, a two-and-a-half dollar gold piece. A similar
prize for being the youngest boy on the grounds was won by Louis Hurlitz.

“John Brown of Crown Point won a set of urns for having the largest
number of generations present, he having four generations on the grounds.
The prize for being the oldest union soldier, a cane, was won by James L.
Gerrish, 87 years of age. The prize for the oldest unmarried woman present
was captured by Miss Sarah Patton, 61 years of age. The prize for the largest
family present, a table cloth, was won by Mrs. L. T. Meyer, she having four
children on the grounds.

“A unique feature of the afternoon came at its close when the arrival of
an aeroplane afforded the old settlers, many of whom can well remember when
the only means of travel was by horse-back or ox-cart, an opportunity to view
the most highly developed modern means of transportation. The big me¬
chanical bird was piloted by Walton Ashler and his wife of Pullman, Ill.,
friends of Mrs. L. T. Meyer and Mrs. Emma H. Leary, officers of the Asso¬
ciation.

“A most fitting and impressive program, a perfect autumn day, made
glorious by a brilliant September sun, wonderful natural scenic settings, and a
crowd of more than 200 persons representing Lake County’s oldest and most
prominent families, made the occasion one which will long be remembered as
one of the most delightful events in the history of the organization.”

LAKE COUNTY

Old Settlers Qather at Deep Riuer to
Dedicate Monument to John IDood

Members of the Wood clan and the Lake County Old Settler and His¬
torical Association held a memorable meeting last Saturday at Deep River,
where they dedicated a monument to the memory of one of our county’s most
worthy pioneers, John Wood. Here, despite overhanging, leaden clouds, about
300 persons, including 84 of the 140 living descendants of John Wood, as¬
sembled on the elm-lined commons which fronts the site of the old Wood’s
cabin, and skirts the historic Sac trail, now known as the Lincoln Highway.

Following a luncheon served by the society of Willing Workers, the guests
gathered under the protecting branches of the half-century old trees to partici¬
pate in the dedicatory exercises. A. W. Stommel, president of the association,
briefly stated the purposes of the meeting. Community singing was lead by
Charles Clark, director of social work in Hammond.

W. C. Belman delivered the invocation.

Following a pleasing address of welcome by Miss Olive Wood, chairman
of the Wood clan, A. J. Smith of Hobart, read a sketch of the Wood family
which is well worth preserving. A report of the meeting held last year at
the home of Mrs. LeGrand T. Meyer, was read by the secretary, Mrs. Ella
Huehn Leary.

Never before have the objects of the association been better set forth
than they were on this day by Frank B. Pattee, prominent attorney of Crown
Point.

He said that the association has five principal objects:

“1. To collect and preserve relics.

“2. To collect and preserve history.

“3. To cherish the memory of old settlers.

“4. To keep alive the pioneer spirit among their descendants.

“5. To keep up close friendly relations with others.

“The main object of this association is to develop in the people of Lake
County true Americanism. We need a healthy and vigorous revival of the
spirit of real, honest, downright work, such as characterized the lives of our
representative pioneers.”

The monument, consisting of a bronze tablet, mounted upon a two-
ton granite boulder, was then unveiled. An impressive scene was here pre¬
sented, as Mrs. Mary Wood Vincent, oldest living member of the immediate
Wood family, slight of figure, drew aside the stars and stripes which were
draped about the boulder. Then, as if to lend aid to a worthy project and to
add luster to the symbol of a well-spent life, the sun burst through heavy banks
of clouds, lighting the kindly face of the aged lady and flooding in brilliant rays
the massive granite rock.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

The inscription, which faces the Lincoln highway, reads as follows:

1800 JOHN WOOD 1883

1802 HANNAH PATTEE WOOD 1873

From Danvers, Mass.

Brought family in 1836
Erected first grist mill in Lake County, 1838
Set aside the commons and planted elms
Advocated and practiced honesty, morality, temperance, liberal
religion and industry.

Charter member Masonic lodges at Valparaiso, Crown Point,
and Wheeler.

Reared their family here.

Buried in the cemetery established by them in 1836.

Erected by descendants in 1924.

The committee on prizes comprising Mrs. W. C. Belman, Mrs. Starr
Brownell, Mrs. Frank Davis and Mrs. Agnes Roberts Schaaf, then gave its re¬
port of awards, as follows:

The oldest man present born in Lake County, John Brown (1840).

The oldest woman present born in Lake County, Mrs. Mary Wood Vin¬
cent.

The oldest man present, Jacob Weiss (86).

The oldest woman present, Mrs. Elinore Phillips (92).

The latest married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Beaudette Smith.

The oldest married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Wheeler (50 years).
The oldest Union soldier present, Mr. John Brown.

The oldest unmarried woman on the grounds, Miss Angie Glaser.

The youngest baby boy, Joseph Lower.

The youngest baby girl, Marjorie Wood.

The largest family present, Mrs. John Crisman and four children.

The largest number of generations, the Wood's family (four).

The report of the committee on nominations, having been adopted, the
following officers were declared elected for the ensuing year:

President, A. J. Smith, Hobart; Vice-President, Albert Foster, Lowell;
Secretary, Mrs. Emma Huehn Leary, Hammond; Treasurer, Mrs. L. T.
Meyer, Cedar Lake; Historian James W. Lester.

Among the articles on exhibition were photographs of descendants of the
Potawatomi Indians who formerly peopled this region; a Masonic apron
which belonged to John Wood, and a certificate of membership issued to him
by the Jordan lodge of Masons, at Danvers, Mass., a century ago.

Acting on recommendations presented by Oscar Dinw r iddie and A. F.
Knotts, the association decided to place markers at the homestead of Melvin A.
Halstead, founder of Lowell, and at the Gary municipal beach in honor of
LaSalle and Father Marquette.

LAKE COUNTY

A CONDENSED REPORT

OF THE

Surueq of Lake County

Archaeological and historical material listed for the State Historical

Commission.

Prior to his untimely death, Mr. L. T. Meyer had been appointed
chairman of Lake County, to direct the work of making an archaeological and
historical survey for the state. He desired that the survey be made and a report
of it read at a meeting of this Association. In accordance with his wishes,
we have carried on the work, and listed all available material; but the report
is obviously incomplete, for history is daily being made and new material con¬
stantly discovered.

Our organization consists of a chairman, and representatives from each
township. We have endeavored to record the experiences and observations of
our pioneers, and to list the relics and other tangible evidence of changes they
describe. There are yet some living who assisted in converting the wilderness
into a land of fine homes and fertile gardens. From them and others we have
obtained numerous letters, documents, and about fifty stories, relating to the
history of this county.

Among the letters are a number from Mr. A. J. Nocktonick, of the
Potawatomi Indian Reservation in Kansas. In these he writes of the legends,
traditions, and history of the Indians who once peopled this region.

The Pokagons were probably the most prominent of the local Indians.
Simon Pokagon, son of Leopold, and Chief of the Potawatomi bands that in¬
habited Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan, was an author, an orator,
a musician, and a man of high ideals. It often has been said of him that he
was never known to break an agreement. Sometimes we wonder—and then
realize that we should be loyal to our race. This noted “Son of the forest,”
who was honored by Carter Harrison, former Mayor of Chicago, and who
at one time was a guest of the President of the United States, made regular
visits to this county. The records of Indian land sales, following the treaty at
Chicago, October 27, 1832, show’ that he owned a strip of land described as
section 29, township 36, range 7 west; this being a part of the present site of
Hobart. Mr. Arthur Patterson, of East Gary, asserts that he became well
acquainted with the chief, who pointed out the old trails, the site of the former
Potawatomi village at East Gary, and the burial ground near Liverpool. Mr.
Patterson has in his private museum, an arrow w hich he received about 1870,
from the chief, who was then paying a visit to the site of the old Indian village.

Mr. Nocktonick has translated a number of names of the Indians who
formerly resided in this locality, some of whom owned land in Lake County.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Potawatomi Reservation, Kansas, July 2, 1923.

Friend Sir:

Yours of June 21st at hand and contents noted. In reply: Deep River
may be Not-weh, Rattlesnake River.

Note—a e i o u
a as in ah
e as in let
i as in eel

Tope-ne-bee

Principal chief of the YVabash river Potawatomies.

Meh-shi

Son of Tope-ne-bee; died

in Kansas, 1897; old age.

Nen-wish-ma

Nephew of Top-ne-bee; Kaw-ki-me, mother of Nen-wish-ma

warrior.

Mes-quass

Nephew of Leopold Pokagon; died 1900, advanced age.

Sin-otch-win

Friend of Leopold Pokagon.

YVa-bon-si

Principal chief, Prairie Potawatomi; St. Joseph Band.

W op-sei

Son of Sin-otch-win; Chief Kansas Prairie Potawatomies;

died at the age of 72.

Mi-sha-bo

Brother of Leopold Pokagon; uncle of Simon Pokagon.

Pset-tah

Daughter of Mi-sha-bo; mother of writer; born 1823 near

Chicago, in Indiana.

No-ta-get

YVarrior chief; killed in

action with the Sioux in 1850, in

Kansas.

Pronunciation

Meaning

Tope-ne-bee

Tope-neh-bee _ -

_Deep water fish.

Meh-shi

Meh-shee

_Sturgeon.

Nen-wish-ma

Nan-wish-maw _

_I conquer.

Mes-quas

Mass-quass ___

Red fish.

Sin-otch-win

Sen-otch-wen

_ JSwan of the Grand Rapids.

Wa-bon-si

YVau-bon-sie __ _

__ Morning (early eagle) Dawrn.

YVop-sei

YVaub-say _

YVhite Swan.

Mi-sha-bo

Me-shaw-bo

. -Great waters (ocean).

Pse-tah

Pseh-taw _ __

I am heard.

No-ta-geh

No-taw-geh _

I hear. (A warrior’s call).

Ki-wa-ni

Kev-wah-nee _ _

_Spiritually lost.

I am sending you nine names of head men of our tribe, who were born
near the great lake. Ki-wa-ni, an old man bore that name. He was neither
chief nor warrior.

This may help you a little. The nine were born in Indiana. All came
to Kansas except Tope-ne-bee; Nen-wish-ma died in Topeka. His picture is
at the state capitol.

Yours,

JOSEPH NOCKTONICK.

LAKE COUNTY

Former Indian Land Owners in
Lake County

From records of land sales at Laporte, Indiana; Treaty of October 27,
1832.

(Translated by Joseph Nocktonick)

PURCHASER

TRANSLATION

Sec.

Range

Tract

Pokagon

Rib _

-29

640A.

Auhenaube

Looking Backward

640

Quashman

Landing a Log _ _

_ _2I

160

Nuvataumant

Beaver cutting a tree

298.8

Wesaw

Yellow Beaver __ __

640

Wesaw

Yellow' Beaver _

-31

640

Benock

Tribe Bennock _

-32

640

Pokakanse

Little Rib -

- 31

80.51

Nisinek-que-quah

Goddess of War __

—_ 17

640

Misnoke

Fighting Earth _ _

_ I

56934

Ashkum

Forever a Sturgeon_

556.5

Showkowchkluck

Pushing a Log _

—23

300

M eshow ke- to-quah

A Goddess that clears the sky

of clouds _

- 36

640

Besiah

(of French origin)_-

—36

37 *

In nearly every part of the county, but

more especially

along the beach

of Lake Michigan and on the hanks of the rivers, are found marks of the red
man. About two years ago your historical secretary visited the old Potawatomi
cemetery at Liverpool. Here much sand had been excavated for construction
work, and there were flint chips, arrow-heads, pieces of pottery, and what
seemed to be human bones, scattered all about. He picked up an arrow-head
that had been neatly chipped from pure white flint, and as it lay in the palm
of his hand, he thought how interesting would be a reconstruction of the camp
where the maker of this arrow-head once lived.

A year later he enjoyed hearing about a camp which, sixty some years
ago, was situated almost at this identical place. The descriptions were given
by Mrs. Julia Hart Follette, of Chicago, and Mrs. Henrietta Gibson, of
Gary; both of whom as girls, were acquainted with the Indians, understood
their language, and played with the Indian children.

Mrs. Follette, accompanied by Mrs. Gibson, frequently visited the camp.
She asserts that on one occasion they called to console an Indian woman who
was mourning the loss of a charming infant daughter to whom Mrs. Follette
had become much attached.

The men, who were painted, and decorated with beads and porcupine
quills, and who carried pistols and daggers in their belts, were dancing to the
sound of a tom-tom. A number of the women who were sitting in a circle,
waved to and fro and moaned incessantly. The mother of the dead child
turned to Mrs. Follette and sobbed, “You papoose gone—God take you
papoose.**

Mrs. Gibson tells many interesting details of the camp:

HISTORICAL RECORDS

“The Indians were mostly of the Catholic faith, but they included sun-
worship in their ceremonies. Often we could hear them about day-break,
chanting and beating their drums, as they knelt and raised their faces to the
rising sun. One of the women, Na-o-men-equeh (A lady of the Menominee
tribe) worked for us; and Shobbona, a fine looking man, often came to our
home.

“I recall a visit we made in the early 6o’s to one of their camps, situated
about a mile east of where Broadway now is, and a short distance north of
the Little Calumet river. Their tepees, to the number of a dozen or more,
stood at the base of a high dune called Coup-ni-quon (a bear’s potato patch).
They seemed to be much pleased to have us call. Most of the men wore
blankets. They were making birch canoes, working with their traps, or
smoking in the shade of oak and willow trees. The women, who were rather
nice looking, wore broadcloth skirts and shawls. They were doing beaded
work, staining designs of flowers on the sides of birch canoes, or helping to
prepare a meal which they were cooking in a large iron kettle. After the
contents of the kettle had been sufficiently cooked they dipped it out with
wooden ladles, or gourds. They offered me some, which I tasted but did not
relish, for it consisted of unseasoned field com and quartered muskrats.”

It seems, from evidence furnished by the earlier pioneers, that contact
with the white race did not tend to elevate the morals of the Indians. Solon
Robinson, who arrived at the site of Crown Point, October 31, 1834, has
written in The Early History of Lake County that his best customers were
the Potawatomies, who paid their bills in furs and berries, while many of his
white customers gave only promises.

In 1838, many of the Indians were transported to Kansas. Few of the
white or red race are now living who were in existence at that time, but we
have among the members of this Association, one who was then a child of six
years; Mrs. Elinore Phillips, who was 91 years of age the 28th of last March,
came here in 1836. The Indians regularly visited her home to trade venison
for pork and flour. She feared them, but they never molested her.

The departure of the Potawatomies, about 1838, is distinctly remembered
by Mr. James L. Monahan, of Michigan City, who is now in his 99th year.
“There was a string of Indians,” he says, “that would reach from Plum Grove
to Laporte. My uncle, Jonathan Dudley, had a contract to remove them to
a reservation in the Southwest. One offered me a pony if I would accompany
him, but I refused the offer.”

As time speeds on and weaves its hazy web about the past, these stories of
pioneer life will arouse ever increasing interest and appreciation.

EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Concurrent with the passing of the Indians, came many venturesome
white pioneers. During the short period extending from 1832 to 1840 the
old order was to a great degree replaced by the new. Each year marked some
radical change. These changes marked the transition from primitive to
civilized life.

LAKE COUNTY

THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION

1832— The United States Government purchased the last of the Indian
possessions in northern Indiana.

1833— William Ross, the first white pioneer of the interior of what was
to become Lake County, settled near the mouth of Deep river, or section 6,
township 35, range 7 west.

During the same year a stage line was started along the beach of Lake
Michigan.

1834— I n the spring of this year, a Mr. Bennett opened a tavern near
the mouth of the Grand Calumet.

In October, Solon Robinson, founder of Crown Point, staked off his claim
and proceeded to make and write history.

1835— The first school of the county, was conducted in a log residence
at Crown Point, by Mrs. Harriett Holton.

1836— The first store was opened by Solon and Milo Robinson.

1837— The county was organized, and Crown Point made the County

Seat.

1838— The first building was erected for school purposes; opened by
Hervey Ball, at Cedar Lake.

1839— Land was regularly opened to white settlers by the Government.
Liverpool was then made the County Seat.

1840— Crown Point again was made the County Seat.

Incidents and events following the year 1840 are frequently recounted
by our pioneers, early settlers, and others. Material furnished by those whose
names are given below, has been recorded and preserved by this Association in
the survey which has been filed with the State Historical Commission.

Arthur Patterson, of East Gary, has described the Potawatomi trails of
Lake County.

Thomas Cannon has written in an entertaining style the story of Father
Marquette’s sojourn near the mouth of the Calumet.

Darus Blake, of Garyton, has related his experience in herding sheep in
the buildings adjacent to the old log court house at Liverpool, as a safeguard
from the attacks of wolves.

Mr. A. F. Knotts has furnished an excellent biography of Solon Robin¬
son, and written other articles relating to local history.

Mrs. Druscilla Carr, Isaac Crisman, and Arthur Anderson, have described
pioneer life in Miller. They have told of experiences with Indians, of fights
with bald eagles, of killing wolves, deer and bears, and of making enormous
hauls of fish from Lake Michigan.

Mr. John O. Bowers has published in phamphlet form, a splendid article
on The Joseph Bailly Family, in which he tells the story of the romantic life
of the first pioneers of Northwestern Indiana.

Mr. Nathaniel Banks, of Hobart, has told amusing incidents of Indian
life, and of seeing a much bedecked, but comely Indian queen at a camp on
Deep River.

Mr. Henry Schrage, father of the mayor of Whiting, has told how
Whiting got its name.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Mrs. Henrietta Gibson has given a lucid word painting of Gibson Inn,
the stage house built about 1838 on the site of Garv.

M rs. Frank J. Sheehan has accomplished a great work in compiling a list
of our soldiers and sailors.

But a few weeks prior to his death, Mr. Henry Barton, entertained
representatives of this Association, with tales of early days in Merrillville, to
which place he came in September 1848. That he and the other pioneers had
to watch their step is evident by the following information he gave concerning
the messasauga rattlesnakes which infested the prairies:

“My father was a Doctor, but he had so many calls to treat patients for
^nake-bite, that he hadn’t time for much else. As an external and internal
remedy, he used Rattlesnake Master, a tall weed that grows on the prairies.
Children and adults as well as cattle, frequently were bitten, and so we usually
were kept busy boiling the herbs; but father never lost a case that I know of.”

Mrs. Lydia Zuvers, daughter of Hiram Barton, has submitted an inter¬
esting report of Ross Township, included in which is a list of former tavern
keepers of Merrillville.

M rs. Mary Vincent (nee Wood) has told of witnessing, in 1851, the
arrival of a Michigan Central train—the first train to enter Lake County.

Reverend David Handley, retired minister of Gary, has given interesting
reports of the religious history of Cedar Creek Township. He remembers
when may of the parishoniers were hauled to church by ox teams. Unfortu¬
nately it would require more than ox teams to get some of our acquaintances
to church now'.

Mr. Oscar Dinwiddle has filed a complete and interesting report of
Eagle Creek Tow'nship. He tells of the early settlers, and names some of the
French traders with Indian wives, w r ho conducted stores on the banks of the
Kankakee.

Conrad Fabian, Charles Seydel, and Arthur Patterson, have supplied
interesting information on the early history of East Gary.

M rs. S. E. Bryant, of Low’ell, has written a detailed history of the Oliver
Surprise family.

Mr. George Smith, who is w r ell informed on the early history of Hobart,
has related many facts not hitherto published. He has told of the fur business,
and of the boats which formerly plyed Deep River, between Hobart and
Chicago.

Miss Lydia Hess has written a biography of Joseph Hess, who founded
Hessville about 1852.

Rev. Frederick Koenig, pastor of the Saints Peter and Paul church, at
Turkey Creek, has given the history of his church, w’hich dates back to the
early 5o’s, when missionaries came on horse back from South Bend to ad¬
minister to the spiritual needs of the congregation.

Ordinarily one would not class a person coming to the county in 1879 as
a pioneer, but Mrs. Lena Reisig, w'ho came that year, and conducted the first
Post Office at Kelly, later changed to Glen Park, has narrated a number of
experiences with snakes and wolves that entitle her to the honors of a pioneer.

Mr. John Brown, of Crown Point, has written of his eventful life, des¬
cribed Andersonville prison, and the ancient battle ground located on his ranch
in Eagle Creek township.

LAKE COUNTY

We have in our files other valuable historical papers, recently written by
the following persons: Mrs. Mary Knotts, Mr. W. P. Gleason, Mr. O. L.
Wildermuth, Mrs. Herbert Graham, Colonel A. P. Melton, and Honorable
C. O. Holmes.

Other papers will soon be forthcoming, for there is ample material.
Lake County is not static. Important ventures recently have been made, new
enterprises launched, and great undertakings accomplished.

Construction of the plant of the National Tube Company, where thou¬
sands of men wrll be employed, is now well under way. Through the well
directed efforts of Mrs. Frank Sheehan, a wide strip of dune country is to be
conserved as a State park. Obstacles, which for years have prevented the
draining of thousands of acres of low land adjacent to the Little Calumet
have been removed, and the Burns* ditch is to become a reality. The Lincoln
and Dunes highways, which follow the much traveled Sauk and Potawatomi
trails, have been completed.

We trust that what has been accomplished by those of this generation will
benefit the next and that they likewise will consider the welfare of their
successors.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS

There are thousands of relics, heirlooms, maps, paintings, rare books, old
manuscripts, and like material, in the hands of private collectors of this county.
Were it possible to place all this material in some centrally located building,
the public would reap great benefit from the vast information afforded.

Following is a list of owners of collections, together with a general
classification of the material collected:

Joseph Sanger, Lowell—Indian relics and curios.

A. J. Sambrook, East Chicago—Pottery and stone weapons, most of which
were found in North Township.

Vincent Mazur, East Chicago—Indian pottery in three different designs;
spear heads, scrapers, and arrow-heads.

M rs. L. T. Meyer, Hammond—Mounted heads of large game; Indian
hand w'ork; a photograph of the first school building erected in Lake county.

John Brown, Crown Point—Stone weapons from the Indian battle
grounds on the Kankakee River.

Arthur Patterson, East Gary—A well stocked private museum contain¬
ing pottery, pipes, bows and arrow r s; pieces of petrified trees; miscellaneous
material, all well arranged and displayed.

Frederick Keck, Black Oak—Several hundred old coins; mounted birds
and animals; Indian relics consisting of arrow-heads, an egg-shaped hammer-
stone, stone hatchets, axes, and sledges; a Sam Colt pistol, dated 1812, found
about 1900, on the site of Gary.

Fred J. Black, Hobart—This collection of Indian relics, weapons, and
curios, might be measured in bushels. There are arrow’-heads, spear heads,
boring, scraping and grinding tools, a medicine hatchet, an ominous looking
stone dagger or spear; and four muzzle-loading guns from Harpers Ferry,
Dated 1832.

John Handcock, Hobart—A large and varied collection of Indian relics,
including a stone owl, ab$>ut eight inches in height.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

George H. Smith, Hobart—A large and most interesting collection of
miscellaneous articles, including about two thousand Indian relics; drills, and
other flint instruments; blades, and pods of seeds from a mound near the
Miami River.

Wm. Piatt, Hobart—An elaborate collection of relics and curios; a
mastodon tooth; piece of an oar from the wrecked Chicora; a number of rusted
flint locks found about 1900 near Hobart.

Mrs. R. O. Johnson, Gary—Antiques, including a cherry dropleaf din¬
ing table; a mahogany rocking chair handed down through five generations,
and estimated to be two centuries old.

M rs. J. A. Patterson, Gary—Porcelain ware; table linens and hand-
woven goods; one pair swifts a century old.

A. T. Bushong, Gary—A spinning wheel, complete with accessories.

Thomas Polk, Gary—Flint weapons, spear heads, arrow-heads, and drills,
found near Chesterton.

Gary Public Schools—Ancient pottery from the southwest, cunieform
tablets, mounted birds, geological specimens.

J. W. Lester, Gary—Letters to and from this State, of dates ranging
from 1840 to 1850; an arrow shaft, stained red, yellow and black, found among
flint chips in the sand dunes near Baillytown; correspondence from descendants
of Chiefs Pokagon and Pontiac.

George Pinneo, Gary’—Indian costumes and equipment, including a war
bonnet, moccassins, beaded jacket, pipes and drums; two pistols said to be
from the Custer battle field.

A. F. Knotts, Gary—Indian relics, books, pieces of furniture, hand-work,
and gowns, from the Joseph Bailly homestead.

Reverend Frederick Koenig, Turkey Creek—Books and documents dat¬
ing back to 1850, including The Book of Souls, in which is recorded the
names of those who composed the congregation. The first baptism recorded
is that of Joseph Adler, date, January 17, 1850; the first marriage, that of
Sabstian Gasper Theilman and Margaret Miller Ballman; date February 21,
1851.

Gary Public Library—An early map of the old Detroit-Fort Dearborn
road; a fine collection of Indian relics found near Chesterton, a picture in pastel
of Ann Maria Gibson, the first woman pioneer of Gary, cunieform tablets
dating from 2400 to 500 B. C., one of which contains a contract, below which
is inscribed: “The month Tebet, the day 22, the year 32, of Nebuchadnezzar,
King of Babylon.” That was the year 573 B. C.

George Peterson, Miller,—Miscellaneous curios, including an old marin¬
er’s compass found on the beach of Lake Michigan.

Mrs. Mary Nygard, Miller—An iron kettle, found about i860, on the
site of the Gary Municipal Beach.

Y. M. C. A., Gary—World War relics, guns, helmets, pistols, and sun¬
dry equipment; a copy of the first paper published in Gary.

John O. Bowers, Gary—Miscellaneous articles from the Joseph Bailly
homestead, including a side saddle used about a century ago by Mrs. Bailly on
her trip to Indiana; four steel-tipped arrows; a large piece of tapestry; a book
entitled The Festival, by Rose Howe; journals and books of account dating
from 1796 to 1834; Revolutionary War commissions issued to an ancestor of
Mrs. Bowers.

LAKE COUNTY

The Tolleston Gun Club—About seventy-five different varieties of
mounted birds, including a full-grown swan, and a pelican; a finely mounted
specimen of wolf, standing at “attention/* which was killed near the club
quarters.

Henry Daugherty, Munster—Over 1,000 arrow-heads; spear heads, sev¬
eral stone hatchets, scrapers, a drill, two spherical hammerstones; a copy of
The Ulster County (New York) Gazette, published January 4, 1800, con¬
taining an account of the funeral of George Washington.

Reverend J. B. DeVille, Gary—A valuable collection of paintings, rare
books and manuscripts; a painting on copper “The Dolorus Way** by Rem-
brant, dated 1640; original etchings by Guido Reni, Rubins, and other emi¬
nent masters; a treatise on philosophy “Printed in the Ideas of November 1476,
by Anthony Koburger.**

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO MAKE THE SURVEY
John Brown, Crown Point.

Oscar Dinwiddie, Lowell
J. S. Doak, Leroy
Miss Lydia Hess, Hessville
Arthur Patterson, East Gary
Miss Orpha M. Peters, Gary
A. J. Sambrook, East Chicago
Miss Lydia Zuvers, Merrillville
James W. Lester, Gary

HISTORICAL RECORDS

Miscellaneous Notes

We are unable to find any printed volumes of our Reports later than
number eight, published in 1911. The present modest publication, then, which
is the first in thirteen years, should be designated as number nine.

Although the hand of Reverend Timothy Ball was stilled eleven long
years ago, we frequently have occasion to refer to his writings, even on sub¬
jects of current interest.

The sudden death of Colonel LeGrand T. Meyer, which occurred Feb¬
ruary 23, 1923, while he was serving as President of our Association, is
keenly felt by all our members.

The annual meeting, for which he was eagerly planning, was to be held
during the very month in which he was taken. As a man of commanding
presence, and of virility and versatility, he will long be remembered.

On May 15, 1924, occurred the death of Mrs. A. W. Stommel, wife of
the President of this Association. Mr. Stommel has our deepest sympathy in
his bereavement.

Members of the Pioneer Society of Whiting emphasize the social side of
their organization. Their annual meetings remind one of congenial family
reunions.

Members of the Gary Historical Society, headed by Senator C. O.
Holmes, are working quietly but consistently on biographical and historical
records of local interest. Their meetings are held quarterly at the Gary
Public Library.

Publication of this volume has been made possible through the encourage¬
ment and assistance of the following persons: John O. Bowers, August W.
Stommel, Oscar W. Dinwiddie, Samuel B. Woods, A. J. Smith, Miss Mabel
Tinkham, A. J. Hamilton, W. C. Belman, H. E. Graham, Mrs. L. T.
Meyer, Mrs. E. H. Leary and C. O. Holmes.

LAKE COUNTY

Index

Achaeological Collections_58

Ball. Reverend Timothy H.. ..— 32, 36, 37. 38, 48

Ball Marker _ 48

Belman, W. C_ 31

Cedar Lake, history of,-13

Collections, archaeological._58

County Superintendents_37

Crown Point School — -33. 35

Deaths ____—— _______24. 25

Deep River_-_________-_-_21, 50

Deer Hunting in the Indiana Dunes_27

Dinwiddle, Oscar_ 22

Dwyer, Mrs. John M.,_ 8

Eagle Creek Township, notes on, —--------22

Early Schools and Teachers_10, 31

Gary, how incorporated _ 40

Hammond _-_ 38

History of Cedar Lake_ 13

Historical Notes from Eagle Creek Township —---22

Hobart_-_.________________ 52

Holmes. C. O._-_40

How We Incorporated the Town_ 40

Indian Land Owners _-_54

In Memoriam--- 24, 25

Knotts, A. F. _7, 40

Knotts, Thomas E.,_-_40

Lake County, Historical Survey-52

Lake Indians_____________30

Leary. Mrs. Ella H.. _ 45

Lord’s Prayer, in the Potawatomi Tongue-29

Lowell, early history of,-8. 33

Meeting at Cedar Lake___48

Meeting at Deep River_ 50

Meeting at Wood’s Farm- 45

Memoriam, in,- 24. 25

Meyer, LeGrand T.,___ 13, 52

Noctonick, Joseph--- 28, 29, 31, 63, 54

Notes, Miscellaneous_61

Pattee, Frank B.,_._________-_50

Patterson, Arthur E., - 52

Pioneering in Ross Township- 5

Pioneers and Early Settlers-22, 47

Pokagon, Simon - 52

Potawatomi Indians_____ 9, 14, 15. 28, 30. 31, 53, 54

Ross Township, pioneering in- 5

School Board, first Gary- 42

School House, first in county-32

School Property, value of,-38

HISTORICAL RECORDS_ 63

School Teacher, first___._.___33

Schools and Teachers_31

Schools, Gary_-_-_-_._._._._ 35

Smith, A. J..50

Stommel, August W.,___._50

Survey, Historical--.- 52

Table of Contents_._-_ 4

Teachers, early _ 31

Town Board, Gary _41

Transition, period of_56

Vincent, Mary Wood_21, 50

Whiting, Pioneer Society of_61

Wood, John _-_._____... 50

Woods. Bartlett ----------5. 45

Woods, Samuel B.,- 5

lake county fualic l»ka*y

3 3113 03175 8529

JAN 1 k 1976

DO NOT CIRCULATE

IND 977.299 OLDS
Old Settler and Historical
Association of Lake County,
Historical records of the
Lake County Old. Settler, and ,j

LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
INDIANA

IND 977.299 OLDS
Old Settler and Historical
Association of Lake County,
Historical records of the
Lake County Old Settler and

a {OR use in t#is

ROOM ONLY

«*» u **sRF

tS RENEWABLE
FINE DUE.

BY PHONE OR IN

PERSON IF THERE IS NO

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Texts

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Old Settler Report (1924)"

See other formats